Mother’s Day delivered a welcome boost to the UK’s high streets at the end of March.
Though spending has been sluggish thus far in 2025 with the February Barclays Consumer Spend Report showing growth of just one per cent year-on-year, but Mother’s Day spurred on UK consumers.
In recent months, consumers have consistently said that they are carefully managing their money. However, Barclays Consumer Spend research also shows they are keen to prioritise spending on experiences; one in five (20 per cent) consumers are willing to spend on memorable and celebratory days, a figure that comes despite almost half (46 per cent) consciously cutting back on non-essential spending.
But who were the big winners? Florists, supermarkets and restauranteurs all enjoyed a spike in transactions…
Floral tributes
The clear winner of the Mother’s Day weekend was UK florists. These businesses saw a 553.2 per cent increase in transactions on the Friday before Mother’s Day in comparison to the average day in 2025 so far. The milestone even beat out Valentine’s Day, with sales volumes up 14.5 per cent from the figure for the world’s celebration of love.
High streets hits 2025 record
Both general retailers and supermarkets reached their highest transaction levels year-to-date on Saturday 29th March.
General retail and high street transactions saw an increase of 40.1 per cent on Saturday 29th March from the 2025 daily average figure. This represented a year-to-date peak for these retailers – boosted by the warmer weather encouraging in-store sales.
Restaurants enjoy weekend uplift
Restaurants were another category that benefitted from busier high streets, with transactions up 6.2 per cent week-on-week on Saturday 29th, and up 37.9 per cent compared to the 2025 average.
Restauranteurs have endured a mixed start to 2025. Spending was down in January by -0.3 per cent from 2024’s figure, and, in February, they were -2.4 per cent lower than they were in 2024. This increase represents a timely boost for the hospitality sector.
Speaking about this, Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “It’s encouraging to see that both retailers and restaurants enjoyed a boost last weekend. It’s clear that consumers are keen to make the most of the sunny weather and to prioritise spending on memorable experiences and treats for their loved ones, even when making cutbacks. Hopefully this will set the tone for Spring and the second half of 2025.”
Plenty opted to eat in, with supermarkets feeling the benefits
Saturday 29th March was the best day of the year thus far for supermarkets, with transactions 15.6 per higher than the previous Saturday (March 22nd).
Croissants, eggs and breakfast juice will likely have been at the top of many of those shopping lists, with 15 per cent of consumers planning to mark Mother’s Day by making a home-cooked meal, and six per cent going the extra mile by making breakfast in bed.
Setting the scene for a more lucrative April...
After enjoying a Mother’s Day boost, there is plenty for restaurants, supermarkets and the hospitality sector to look forward to in April. With schools breaking up for the two-week Easter holidays, two Bank Holidays to enjoy and extensive sunshine predicted for much of the month, hopes are high for an improved round of takings.
More from our UK unlocked series
Our expert insights on the economic and business issues most critical to the UK's companies and policy leaders.
How UK cinemas got their mojo back: I’m hopeful for a billion-pound box office in 2025
Cinemas have had to contend with the aftershock of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of streaming services. But, as Rich Robinson, Head of Hospitality & Leisure at Barclays outlines, the industry has rebounded and is thriving once again…
