Spain | Evolution of card spending in real time and high definition in Aug-22

Nominal card purchases increased 26% year-on-year in August (29% in July). Both the face-to-face channel (20%) and, above all, the online channel (42%) contributed to the year-on-year slowdown in spending, which was more pronounced in transactions with foreign cards (64%) than Spanish ones (22%).

Key points

• Key points:
• Unlike purchases, growth in card cash withdrawals accelerated 5 points in August to 9% year-on-year.
• The increase in expenditure associated with travel stood out in August regardless of the channel, although it lost traction with respect to the two previous months, as did that of other tourist and entertainment services, such as accommodation, restaurants, leisure and sports. On the contrary, purchases of goods necessities, personal equipment and household equipment gained momentum.
• Face-to-face consumption increased in all provinces in August, especially in traditional tourist destinations, such as the archipelagos, some inland, such as Madrid and Toledo, and in the Basque Country and Navarra. However, the increase slowed down in two thirds of the territories.
• The weight of operations with foreign cards in face-to-face spending reached 10% in the summer period, only half a point less than in 2019. In the islands and the Valencian Community, participation exceeded pre-pandemic thresholds. In the remaining provinces, it was lower, with some exceptions.

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