Nostalgia and escapism helping to drive spending habits in 2026 – report

There is a ‘growing appetite’ for experiences which are anchored in human connection, Natalia Lechmanova, chief economist, Europe, at the Mastercard Economics Institute, said (Alamy/PA) -

Experiences are taking priority over discretionary spending on physical belongings in households’ budgets, research indicates.

Nine in 10 (88%) people surveyed across the UK would be inclined to redirect spending that might otherwise go on buying discretionary items towards lived experiences, according to the survey for Mastercard.