DIY stores saw double-digit percentage rises in spending in October, while other industries suffered as the stormy weather kept shoppers away from the high street.
Data compiled by Barclaycard, exclusively for The Mail on Sunday, showed that DIY stores sales were up 10%, the fastest monthly growth all year, "driven partly by new homeowners or sellers redecorating homes", according to The Mail.

Total consumer spending rose just 1.9% in October compared with the same period last year, Barclaycard reported. This follows a positive month in September, "when buoyant spending raised hopes of a coming consumer boom", The Mail said.

On the highstreet, shops appeared to struggle when the storms and gale-force winds hit the UK at the end of last month, as spending rose just 0.3%. However, "online sales are still rising rapidly, up 8.7%", the report said. Barclaycard described the figures as a "significant shift away" from shops to the internet.

Electronics goods stores saw spending increases in October and restaurants also did well, with spending up nearly 12% on last year.