Loaves of bread being sold at a market

Source: Getty Images

Shoppers in cities across the UK have boosted their spend in local bakeries by up to 22%, according to new research by card processing specialist Paymentsense.

The study analysed anonymised transactions from its card machines across UK-based independent bakers between March 2019-2020 and March 2020-2021.

Bakeries in Durham saw the biggest increase in average customer spend as shoppers splashed out an extra 22% on bread and other baked goods. Shoppers in the city spent an average of £4.57 for the current period, compared with £3.98 in March 2019-20.

Hull ranked in second place as shoppers parted with £5.09 during an average sale – an increase of 20% on the previous year’s outlay of £4.86. Harrogate also placed in the top three with customers spending £5.11 on average in 2020-21, representing a 20% increase on the 2019-20 figure of £4.65.

However, it was Southend-On-Sea that had the highest average spend of the top 10 at £7.12 (see full table below).

“With hospitality sectors shut and an opportunity to support small businesses, the past year has been a great chance for independent retailers to offer goods that some places could not,” said Jon Knott, head of customer Insights at Paymentsense.

“Whether it’s local grocers, butchers or fishmongers, some Brits are opting to spend more on their food, but in local independent businesses.”

RankLocationAverage customer spend 2019-2020Average customer spend 2020-2021% Increase 

1

Durham

£3.98

£4.57

+22%

2

Hull

£4.86

£5.09

+20%

3

Harrogate

£4.65

£5.11

+20%

4

York

£5.42

£5.63

+18%

5

Luton

£5.59

£5.84

+17%

6

Truro

£5.43

£6.17

+16%

7

Bromley

£6.18

£6.81

+15%

8

Croydon

£5.68

£6.82

+15%

9

Colchester

£5.93

£6.87

+15%

10

Southend-On-Sea

£6.21

£7.12

+14%