From screens to stadiums: what we can learn from summer spending trends

Two summers ago, I wrote an article about the women driving a surge in consumer spending – Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

Fast forward to the summer of 2025, some things stayed the same – Beyoncé went on tour again (does she sleep?) and Taylor Swift continues to make headlines – but others have changed. Despite solid overall financial health, some groups, including younger generations, are feeling the squeeze. According to Bank of America’s Better Money Habits Gen Z survey, 51% of Gen Z report struggling with the high cost of living. Yet, even with some tighter budgets, many are still prioritizing experiences and finding ways to be part of the moments that matter to them.

🎬 Moviegoers return to the big screen

Many people believed that the movie industry would never make a full recovery post-pandemic, especially with the continued rise of streaming platforms. This summer, blockbusters like Lilo & Stitch, Superman, and Jurassic World showed the cinema experience still resonates.

The season began with a record-breaking Memorial Day, with ticket sales up 22% compared to 2024. The domestic box office is now approaching $4 billion for the year, an 18% increase from the same time last summer.

Why are people still showing up for movie nights? I recently went to the movie theater and was reminded that there’s something unique about watching a story unfold in real-time, surrounded by others reacting to the same twists and turns. It’s a moment of connection that is worth the price of admission – and let’s be honest, those recliner seats don’t hurt either.

🎤 Concerts strike a chord

If movies offer quiet connection, concerts deliver high-energy community. The number of stadium shows is up 60% from last year, and even emerging artists are drawing bigger crowds, with ticket sales up 8%.

Major tours are making headlines. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour became the highest-grossing country tour ever, earning $407.6 million with 1.5 million tickets sold. Kendrick Lamar broke records as the first rapper to gross more than $9 million from a single show. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny have kept the momentum going across global stages.

Sold-out arenas and rising ticket sales show that consumers are carving out space in their budgets for these memory-making moments.

📈 Consumers continue to choose experiences

This summer reinforced a broader shift: people are prioritizing real-life experiences that offer meaning, memories and community. The cultural wave of 2023 wasn’t a one-off, it marked the beginning of a sustained trend towards experience-led consumption. Think less “what can I buy?” and more “what I can feel?”.

This shift has the potential to boost sectors like travel, restaurants and live events, while challenging retail to evolve. But it’s not just about where money will go, it’s about how consumers will make decisions. In times of uncertainty in the future, young consumers may cut back on material goods before they give up the experiences that bring them happiness and connection.

The same mindset drives Gen Z’s “treat culture.” According to Bank of America’s Better Money Habits Gen Z Report, more than half of Gen Z say they buy themselves a “little treat” – a small luxury like a latte or pastry – at least once a week. Why? For the same reason many splurge on concert tickets: we only have one life and these moments add a bit more joy to it.

What experiences did you invest in this summer? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️