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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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Mar 20, 2025
4 min read

Experts from the crypto casino Gamdom have identified the top seven common mistakes investors should avoid when trading in the cryptocurrency market in 2025.


1 - Not Knowing The Basics

Before investing in any crypto asset, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the basics of crypto trading and the market.


This includes understanding the basics of trading blockchain technology, how cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin work, the concept of circulating vs. total supply, and the impact of inflation on the market.


Additionally, by understanding the basics, investors can also understand how to use different trading platforms, exchanges, and wallets, which will be necessary to buy and sell their assets.


2 - Not Understanding The Technology

Similar to understanding the basics of how to trade, it’s important to understand what you’re trading.


The technology behind different cryptocurrencies is what makes them unique and valuable. Therefore, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of the technology before investing in a coin.


This includes understanding the underlying blockchain, consensus algorithms, and other technical details of the project.


When researching and evaluating potential investments, it's paramount to consider factors such as:


  • The coin's fundamentals

  • The team behind the project

  • The coin's overall potential for growth.


Looking for coins with a clear use case and a strong community behind them is a great place to start.


Additionally, staying informed about the latest developments in the crypto market is critical by following industry news and events and participating in online communities and forums.


3 - Overtrading And Making Impulsive Decisions

It's easy to get caught up in the market's hype and make impulsive buying or selling decisions.


Overtrading refers to buying and selling assets too frequently, often based on short-term market fluctuations or hype rather than a well-thought-out investment strategy.


This can lead to financial losses, as investors may make impulsive decisions to buy or sell based on emotions rather than rational analysis.


It's vital to develop a trading strategy and stick to it, even during market fluctuations.


To achieve this, investors should take a step back, evaluate their positions and assess if they align with their long-term strategy.


4 - Investing More Than You Can Afford To Lose

Crypto trading is inherently risky, and the market can be volatile.


This can be particularly dangerous in the crypto market, which is known for its volatility and high risk.


Prices of different crypto assets can fluctuate rapidly, and there is always a risk that the value of an asset may decrease or become worthless.


Therefore, investing only what you can afford to lose is essential. Never invest your life savings or take on excessive debt to trade in the crypto market.


5 - Chasing Cheap Coins And Focusing On Short-Term Gains

“Did somebody say Dogecoin?” It can be tempting to chase cheap coins to make a quick profit. Many investors, especially new ones, may be attracted to the idea of buying a large amount of a cheap coin with the hope that its value will increase in the short term.


However, these coins may not have a solid fundamental value or long-term potential and may not be worth the investment. Furthermore, focusing on short-term gains can lead to impulsive buying and selling decisions, resulting in overtrading and, ultimately, financial losses.


Instead, focus on researching the project's technology, team, and potential for growth and understanding the research.


6 - Not Diversifying Your Portfolio

Diversifying your portfolio is important in any type of investment, including cryptocurrency, because it helps to spread risk and minimize potential losses.


When you diversify your portfolio, you're spreading your investments across different assets, sectors, and industries. This way, if one investment performs poorly, the others can offset the losses and minimize the impact on your overall portfolio.


For example, let's say an investor has a portfolio heavily invested in technology companies. If there is a recession in the technology industry, the investor's portfolio will be heavily impacted.


However, suppose the investor diversifies their portfolio by including investments in other sectors such as healthcare, real estate, and energy. In that case, the impact of the recession in the technology industry will be less severe on the overall portfolio.


7 - Over-Diversifying Your Portfolio

You can have too much of a good thing. While diversification is important, it's also important not to spread your investments too thin.


Over-diversifying can lead to a lack of focus and ultimately result in weaker returns.


When over-diversifying, investors may end up investing in assets that they need help understanding or spreading their investments across assets that are not related to each other, which may lead to a lack of a coherent investment strategy.


This can make monitoring and managing the portfolio challenging and lead to lower returns on investment.


Felix Römer, founder of Gamdom commented: “As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, avoiding common mistakes is crucial for successful trading in 2025."


“Our guide highlights seven mistakes that befall many traders. Using these tips and adopting the right strategies, with a clear understanding of the market, traders can navigate the complexities of crypto confidently, reducing risk and setting them up for long-term success.”

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