Consumers spent 3.5% more last month than the previous year despite confidence in the UK economy falling to a record low.
The amount spent was the highest figure since April but has largely been driven by an increase in grocery prices leading to higher supermarket spending.
However, overall the outlook is gloomy with just 28% of the 1,614 respondents in July expressing confidence in the economy, the lowest figure since Barclaycard began its research in 2014.
Confidence has also fallen in household finances from 69% in June to 56% in July while the ability to spend more on non-essentials dropped 13 points to 43% in the same period.
More than four in 10 consumers say this has led to them changing their everyday spending habits with 54% shopping more often at discount stores while 28% are using vouchers and discount codes more.
The survey also discovered that, as per June, 47% of those surveyed are feeling the squeeze as inflation outstrips wage growth.
Paul Lockstone, managing director at Barclaycard, said: “Although consumer spending growth rebounded from May and June’s lacklustre performance, last month’s figure should be treated with caution.
“While supermarkets posted a strong performance, some of that growth will be due to higher prices.
“As a result, consumers would have had to budget more carefully to spend on their favourite ‘nice-to-haves’, whether that was a night out at the cinema or a meal with friends and family.
“Months of ‘feeling the squeeze’ have made consumers a little more concerned about the bigger picture.
“Confidence on several measures, from the UK economy to household finances, are at some of the lowest levels we’ve ever seen, and shoppers are working increasingly hard to stretch their budget.
“As we head into the remainder of 2017, it will be interesting to see how Brits continue to react to this ‘new normal’.”