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V12 Retail Finance Q3 Data Shows Home Improvement Finance More Than Doubling



New quarterly data from V12 Retail Finance shows that UK consumers continued to turn to point-of-sale finance for high-value purchases in the third quarter of 2026. Total finance values across the platform grew 7% between July and September compared with Q3 2025, and were almost 20% higher than in the same period of 2024.


The quarter got off to a challenging start as prolonged hot weather and a busy international sporting calendar disrupted normal shopping patterns in July. However, each month of the quarter was ahead of the same month in 2025, and demand strengthened as the summer went on. As in the first half of the year, growth came mainly from categories linked to the home, health and practical everyday purchases. This suggests that households remain willing to commit to significant spending, but continue to be selective about where they do so.


Andrew Phillips, Managing Director of V12 Retail Finance said:

"The third quarter shows a consumer who is still willing to spend on what matters most, even when the backdrop is far from straightforward. July was a difficult month for many retailers, but demand held up and strengthened through August and September."

"The standout trend is the continued investment households are making in their homes. Home improvement finance more than doubled year on year in the quarter, and that reflects a broader shift we have been tracking for some time, as people choose to improve the homes they already have rather than move."


"Consumers remain cautious about the wider economic picture, and we expect them to stay selective. But the strength and breadth of demand across our portfolio gives us confidence as retailers head into Black Friday and the Christmas trading period."


Home improvements emerge as the defining trend of 2026

Home Improvements was a standout performer in V12’s portfolio in Q3. Finance values rose by around 112% year on year, and the pace of growth increased each month. Values were up approximately 56% in July, 107% in August and 163% in September.


The category has now grown almost fourfold in quarterly value since Q3 2024, and now accounts for around 7% of total finance values, compared with less than 4% in the same period last year. Across the first nine months of 2026, home improvement finance values are up by around 73% year on year. This builds on the multi-year pattern of increased investment in property-related projects that V12's earlier data releases highlighted.


Furniture remains the anchor of demand

Furniture remained the largest category by a significant margin, accounting for close to 49% of all finance values in Q3 2026. Finance values held broadly stable, rising around 1.5% year on year on what had been a strong Q3 2025.


Performance varied through the quarter, with July softer as warm weather reduced footfall, particularly at retail park locations. August was a stronger month for the category, with finance values rising nearly 9% year on year as cooler temperatures and Bank Holiday promotional activity brought customers back to stores. On August Bank Holiday Monday alone, applications approved across V12's portfolio rose by almost 40% compared with the same day in 2025, with furniture retailers making a significant contribution.


Healthcare and practical categories continue to grow

Healthcare and dental finance values rose by around 6% year on year, and are up by more than a third compared with Q3 2024. The category accounted for around 12% of V12's total finance values in the quarter. This reflects continued consumer willingness to invest in dental and elective treatment, supported by the expansion of V12's healthcare provider network.


Growth was also strong across several practical and lifestyle categories. Consumer electrical finance values more than doubled year on year, rising by around 126%. Cycles grew by around 24%, with double-digit growth in every month of the quarter. Motor finance rose by close to 6%.


Signs of stabilisation in discretionary categories

In Q1, discretionary luxury categories were under pressure. In Q3, there were early signs that this pressure is beginning to ease. Jewellery, the second largest sector by value, returned to growth, with finance values rising nearly 3% year on year. This marks a positive step after a softening trend that had been evident since mid-2024.


Other discretionary categories remained more subdued. Art saw a decline of close to 8%, while music was broadly flat. This suggests that while sentiment around non-essential purchases may be improving, households are still exercising restraint in some areas.


Retailer network continues to expand

V12's retailer network continued to grow during the quarter. The most significant milestone was the launch of V12's partnership with Magnet, which went live across all 150 Magnet stores in July and made a strong early contribution to the growth in home improvement finance. The sector also benefited from continued growth among retailers introduced through broker partners.


"What has been particularly encouraging this quarter is how broad the growth has been," added Andrew Phillips.

"We have seen strength in our largest categories, in healthcare and in practical purchases, and early signs of recovery in jewellery. Combined with the momentum in home improvements and new partnerships such as Magnet, that gives us a solid platform as we move into the busiest trading period of the year."

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V12 Retail Finance Q3 Data Shows Home Improvement Finance More Than Doubling

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Mar 3, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Mar 4, 2025



A PR and her client have launched a business collaboration after just one year of working together – bringing a combined 50 years of experience in a new marketing agency in south Warwickshire.


Amanda Chalmers of Chalmers News PR, in Warwick, has joined professional forces with Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, from Leamington, to launch Bia’s Marketing Production & PR this week.


Brazilian-born Bianca – also known as the face of YouTube’s Bia’s Kitchen Show – is reprising her career after enjoying huge success as the co-owner of a marketing agency in her native Rio de Janeiro before moving to the UK with her new husband 15 years ago.


After enjoying success for her own brand through Amanda’s established PR agency, Bianca quickly recognised the potential for collaboration and the women, who hail from countries 5,500 miles apart, have now come together to combine their respective expertise to benefit businesses in Warwickshire and beyond.


Bia Rodrigues-Perry has over 20 years of experience in marketing and production, working with a portfolio of international brands including McDonalds, Gillette and M&Ms. She possesses the magic touch when it comes to elevating businesses or products to new heights, through a variety of tried and tested techniques, from essential marketing advice and support through to curating showcase events and productions which not only highlight - but celebrate - the brands.


Last year, just a few months into launching her show, she was crowned Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ladies First Network Business and Inspirational Awards.


Amanda Chalmers is a trained journalist with over three decades of experience who now boasts a portfolio of successful PR campaigns through her multi-award-winning agency. Her news desk experience and bulging contacts book combine with her boundless enthusiasm, integrity and tenacity to bring the best results for her clients every time. Working with PRs in her capacity as a former newspaper editor in south Warwickshire, Amanda understands exactly what it takes to make a story stand out to both the journalist and potential audience.


Both women have also been nominated for the Ladies First Professional Development Business Awards, Bianca for Businesswoman of the Year and Influencer of the Year and Amanda for Professional Services Excellence.


Bia’s Marketing Production & PR offers the full range of marketing and PR services including marketing strategies, branding, website design, social media ads, events planning, content creation and social media management. It also offers access to appearance and sponsorship opportunities on sister company Bia’s Kitchen Show, which now boasts more than 60k followers and 6.5k YouTube subscribers.


Bianca said: "When I decided to open my marketing and production agency, Amanda was the first person who came to mind for collaboration. Her exceptional PR skills, which elevated my cooking show over the past year, were invaluable.

“We share a unique dynamic—similar yet complementary in our differences—that enhances our teamwork. Marketing without PR can feel hollow, and I'm thrilled Amanda accepted being part of this project as my collaborator."

Amanda launched Chalmers News PR in November 2018 after leaving the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald editor’s seat, going on to win two national awards for her work in the PR industry.


Of the collaboration, she said:

“It was immediately apparent upon meeting Bianca for the first time in January last year how driven and ambitious she was – and how hard as a PR, I would have to work to keep pace with her dreams for her Bia’s Kitchen Show brand! But what was also clear was how closely our values and passions are aligned and we have worked together really effectively as PR and client to achieve great results."

“Now, with Bianca at a time in her life when she is ready to rebuild her professional reputation in the UK, we realised the potential for what could be achieved if we combined our respective skills and experience as a joint venture. We also both share a passion for supporting the independent food and drink industry, with most of my clients sitting in that sector."


“As a sole trader for the past six years, this presents an exciting opportunity for collaboration with a likeminded professional – who started off as a client and has now become a business associate. I am learning so much from Bianca and can’t help but be inspired every day by her energy and drive. We both have a huge appetite for success and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for Bia’s Marketing, Production & PR.”


Visit Bia's Marketing here:



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