Almost half of Britons expect to spend less over next three months, figures show
Almost half of Britons expect to spend less over the next three months as retailers already face significant falls in visitor numbers compared with a year ago, figures show.
Some 45% of consumers say they expect to spend less and 41% are 'actively' looking for ways to cut unnecessary spending, according to the latest Movers Index from Virgin Media O2 Business.
There has been an 8% year-on-year drop in retail visits for the first three months of the year, the index, which combines anonymous UK movement data from O2 Motion with survey findings, shows.
Nearly half of consumers (46%) have cancelled at least one subscription, rising to 80% of those aged 18 to 24, the figures show.
Meanwhile, office attendance has continued to climb in the first months of this year, with more than half of British employees (52%) going in more frequently.
Mobile data shows the first few months of the year were marked by a 5% increase in commuting trips, and a 1% increase from the same time last year.
Wednesday remains the most popular day of the week to go to the office, while 38% of workers now commute five days a week.
Most workers (65%) view return-to-office mandates positively, helped by a boost in perks and workplace culture.
Workers are also planning to make the most of their return to the office, with 77% planning to shop in-store after work at least once a week, and 66% planning to catch up with friends and family, according to the findings.
Jessica O'Connor, director of product at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: 'The latest Virgin Media O2 Business Movers Index shows a first glimpse into key trends shaping 2025 – office life is continuing to make a comeback and retail is adapting for resilience.
'With half of workers commuting more often and full-time office mandates rising, O2 Motion data indicates a shift in how people use city spaces.'
Strand Partners surveyed 2,002 UK adults and 2,004 businesses between March 28 and 31.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
City centre restaurant with Gordon Ramsay trained chef crowned ‘Scotland's best'
Read on to discover if you've dined in one of the UK's best spots Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S best food spot has been crowned at a prestigious industry bash. Lyla in Edinburgh - helmed by a Gordon Ramsay-trained chef - was handed the plaudit from the National Restaurant Awards. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Chef Stuart Ralston's restaurant was crowned the best in Scotland Credit: Justin Rodrigues 4 Chef Ralston and the team accept a Michelin star outside the Edinburgh food spot Credit: Lyla/Instagram 4 The Ritz bagged first place on the list compiled by National Restaurant Awards Credit: Getty The ceremony celebrates the best of British grub as it compiles the country's top 100 places to eat. And Lyla, the brainchild of chef Stuart Ralston, bagged 17th place alongside the crème de la crème of culinary excellence. The Ritz in Mayfair, London scooped first place, Restaurant Moor Hall in Lancashire was second while The Ledbury in Notting Hill, London took home the bronze medal. Triumphant chef Ralston said: 'We are immensely proud and grateful to have been voted Scotland's best restaurant, and for coming 17th in the top 100 in the UK. 'Thank you, National Restaurant Awards for this accolade and to our incredible staff who have worked so hard to make it a possibility.' Ralston once gained experience working in Gordon Ramsay's Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. NATIONAL RESTAURANT AWARDS - TOP 20 The Ritz, London: The top-ranked restaurant, a renowned establishment in Mayfair. Moor Hall, Aughton: A three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Lancashire. The Ledbury, Notting Hill, London: Known for its innovative and refined fine dining experience. Trinity, Clapham, London: A popular restaurant offering modern British cuisine. Bouchon Racine, Clerkenwell, London: Renowned for its expertly crafted French bistro classics. OMA, Southwark, London: A new entrant to the list, known for its chic, Greek-inspired tapas. AngloThai, Marylebone, London: A restaurant celebrating the fusion of Anglo and Thai cuisines. Osip, Bruton, Somerset: Known for its focus on sustainability and local ingredients. Ynyshir, Machynlleth, Powys: A previous winner, known for its unique and idiosyncratic approach to dining. Dorian, Notting Hill, London: A restaurant offering a diverse and flavorful menu. Mountain, Soho, London: Known for its modern take on classic dishes. The Devonshire, Soho, London: A gastropub with a strong focus on locally sourced ingredients. Kiln, Soho, London: A restaurant known for its vibrant and creative dishes. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea, London: A highly acclaimed fine dining establishment. Woven by Adam Smith: Located at Coworth Park, known for its service and food quality. Ikoyi, Covent Garden, London: A restaurant offering a unique and innovative dining experience. Lyla, Edinburgh: A restaurant celebrating Scottish cuisine. A Wong, Victoria, London: Known for its modern and innovative take on Cantonese cuisine. Da Terra, Bethnal Green, London: A restaurant offering a dynamic and creative dining experience. Brooklands by Claude Bosi, Knightsbridge, London: A restaurant offering a refined and elegant dining experience. In 2023, the award-winning chef opened Lyla in premises once occupied by Paul Kitching's influential 21212 on Royal Terrace. The 28-cover restaurant, billed by Ralston as 'unapologetically fine dining', received a Michelin star in February 2025. The National Restaurant Awards this week commented: 'Lyla is not a fish restaurant per se but is fish-focused, with the majority of the courses on its tasting menu seafood-based. 'With just 10 tables to worry about (and a maximum party size of four), Ralston has been able to up the culinary ante significantly. Gordon Ramsay reveals customers are using BATHROOMS in new skyscraper restaurant for X-rated acts "His previous flagship Aizle has 50 covers – delivering picture-perfect dishes that demonstrate good technique while still allowing his high-quality ingredients to do the talking.' Elsewhere in Edinburgh, The Little Chartroom ranked at number 79 while nearby The Palmerston came in at 97th place.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE British high society tycoon, 65, is found dead at his luxury villa in Marbella after returning from Italian car rally
A British high society tycoon has been found dead at his luxury villa in Marbella, MailOnline has learned. Tarik Wildman, 65, was found dead just hours after returning from a car rally in Italy. A close friend told MailOnline that he died on Sunday at his home in the upmarket and gated La Virginia complex. He said all signs point to natural causes being behind the death, but that an autopsy will shed more light on what happened. MailOnline has contacted the local police and authorities in Marbella for comment. Wildman's American father was Frederick Wildman Jnr., son of Frederick Wildman Snr, who founded the family's wine empire in the 1950s. Frederick Wildman & Sons exports wines and champagne from France to the US and remains a multi-million dollar business. Wildman's British mother, the late Hon Corinna Cunliffe, was a famous fashion magazine editor and the daughter of a baron. Three portraits of her hang in London's National Portrait Gallery. He was also married Susan O'Reilllly, daughter of the late Sir Anthony O'Reilly, from one of Ireland's most prominent families. It is thought he had British, American and Irish citizenship. Tarik's friend from the Classic and Sports Car Club of Andalucia (CSCCA) wrote: 'It is with the utmost sadness that I have to report the death today of my great friend and CSCCA stalwart, Tarik Wildman. 'He had just returned from organising and running his Team Schh rally in Italy which he had done in his beautiful Lancia Flamina, a car he loved. 'He died peacefully in his sleep but, at this moment, the cause is not known. 'He had amazing friends all over the world, had competed in the Monte Carlo Classic rally and had a depth of knowledge of all things that always astonished me. 'His passion for life in general and motoring in particular was something that others could only envy. 'To all his amazing friends, to Susy, his wife and to all the family left behind our heartfelt sympathies go out to you. 'Tarik, you were taken too soon and I for one am going to really miss you. 'The world here will never see the like and will never be the same again. RIP Tarik Wildman, a legend and a titan.' Tarik was known to be a speed freak rally driver and a vintage car enthusiast - and once filmed himself driving 190mph in North Africa. Former model and current writer and campaigner Kristiane Backer said: 'We are all devastated and desperate to hear what happened, Tarik was a party animal and such a force of nature, a kind, thoughtful man… I was due to see him soon , it is very sad'. US TV presenter Ingrid Hoffmann shared a photo of Tarik with her and wrote a fond tribute. She wrote: 'Thank you for being a stand up kind and generous friend, host extraordinaire, creator, planner, navigator and pilot to the most fun adventures and Team Shhhh rally's. 'I am going to miss you and the days and nights spend cooking, talking, drinking, driving and telling stories at your Marbella "La Virginia" and Casa Hombre Salvaje center of the universe of all things fun. 'Capileira that little house above the clouds you loved so much and took all of your friends so we could love it too. Grateful for all the cast of characters now friends you introduced me too. You always wanted all of us to be friends. You leave behind a beautiful family a bigger than life legacy. 'I will miss your naughty spirit, history lessons, poetry, writings, waking all up to beautiful classical music.' Tarik was a well-connected figure, whose friends included the Duke of Rutlands ex-mistress Andrea Webb and the Hon Alexandra Foley.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Bus users protected from price hikes as Rachel Reeves gives update on £3 cap
Rachel Reeves is expected to extend the nationwide price cap on single trips for bus passengers in the Spending Review - which was due to run out at the end of the year Bus passengers will be protected from fare hikes as the £3 cap on single tickets is set to be extended. In a major boost for bus users, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to protect the nationwide price cap on single trips, which had been due to run out at the end of the year. The cost-of-living lifeline will now be in place across England until March 2027, the Mirror understands. Single fares could rise by up to £12 in the worst hit areas if the cap is lifted. The Department for Transport previously said a journey between Leeds and Scarborough could cost £15, while a fare from Hull to York would hit £8.50. The decision, which will be confirmed in the Spending Review on Wednesday, is a major boost to millions of Brits who rely on buses every day. A Treasury source told the Mirror: 'We understand the cost of living is a priority for the British people. That is why we are investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off. Rachel Reeves' Spending Review major predictions on what will and won't be in it 'That's why we're keeping bus fares down by extending the £3 cap to put more money in people's pockets.' The cap covers around 5,000 bus routes across England, costing the Treasury around £150million a year to keep fares at £3. The Tories previously introduced a £2 cap on bus fares but only provided funding until the end of 2024. Last year, Keir Starmer said it would rise to £3 for 2025 but its future was uncertain beyond the end of this year. A Government source said: "Buses provide lifeline access to opportunity for people across the country. "Keeping fares affordable is a top priority for the Transport Secretary, as our landmark Buses Bill overhauls how services are delivered. Better buses are around the corner with Labour." The Chancellor will unveil plans to splash tens of billions of pounds on public services such as the NHS, defence and schools over the next three years in the long-awaited Spending Review on Wednesday. But other departments are expected to feel the squeeze, with cuts looming to unprotected areas such as local government and the Home Office. Ministers have been locked in fraught negotiations for months over their budgets. The final settlement for the Home Office was only signed off on Monday after a row with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over cash for policing. Ms Reeves will also announce funding for infrastructure investment, including big ticket items like road, rail and energy projects. She will confirm changes to Treasury rules to make it easier to pour cash into projects outside of London and the South East. It comes after a blitz of announcements, including some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. Ms Reeves also confirmed on Monday that some 9 million pensioners would be eligible for the winter fuel allowance this year after backtracking on the unpopular decision to strip the benefit from all but the poorest pensioners. The Government also announced plans to expand free school meals eligibility to another 500,000 children whose families get Universal Credit, in a major win for the Mirror's campaign to end hunger in classrooms.
