UK online spending growth is now the lowest since 2013, as inflation begins to impact consumers.

According to Visa’s E-commerce Spending Index, UK online spending growth in April fell by 0.1 per cent year-on-year to just 0.5 per cent – a result Retail Gazette commentator Ben Stevens described as an indicator of falling consumer confidence in the UK.

However, spending on food and beverage on high streets rose by 9.2 per cent, the highest rate in three years, as people relaxed over the Easter break. That spending appeared to have moved from both traditional and online retailers.

“Consumer spending slowed down further in April, as consumers tightened their belts in the face of rising prices running up against stalling wage growth,” said Visa UK MD Kevin Jenkins commenting on the Index.

“Annual spending growth fell back to 0.5 per cent, from an already subdued rate of 1 per cent in March.”

March’s inflation rate reached 2.3 per cent was the highest in more than two years and outside the Bank of England’s two per cent target.