The Velera Payments Index September 2025

Summary: Consumer spending remained steady in August, driven by growth in the Goods, Restaurant and Grocery sectors. Despite this momentum, travel spending continued to decline for the second consecutive year, with Airlines and Lodging driving the decrease. Inflation ticked up again, and weaker job growth added to market unease, prompting consumers to prioritize essential purchases. In this month’s Velera Payments Index, we take a Deep Dive into travel trends and how broader economic signals are reshaping consumer payment activity.