As the summer season 2026 comes to a close, French consumer spending displays sustained momentum.
This emerges from an analysis conducted by SumUp based on the transactions recorded across thousands of merchants in July and August 2026, compared with the same periods in 2025.
The fintech data notably highlight the weight of the dining sector, but also a solid performance in tourism and accommodation.
Regionally, Île-de-France stands out particularly for the growth of its business volume.
In July 2026, the activity of the merchants analyzed by SumUp rose by 17.4%, while turnover increased by 35.5% compared to July 2025.
The trend continued in August, with a rise of 11.1% in activity and 25.5% in turnover year over year. An evolution that aligns with the summer of 2025, when SumUp had already observed a growth of 35.1% in activity and 27.3% in turnover compared with summer 2024.
This emerges from an analysis conducted by SumUp based on the transactions recorded across thousands of merchants in July and August 2026, compared with the same periods in 2025.
The fintech data notably highlight the weight of the dining sector, but also a solid performance in tourism and accommodation.
Regionally, Île-de-France stands out particularly for the growth of its business volume.
In July 2026, the activity of the merchants analyzed by SumUp rose by 17.4%, while turnover increased by 35.5% compared to July 2025.
The trend continued in August, with a rise of 11.1% in activity and 25.5% in turnover year over year. An evolution that aligns with the summer of 2025, when SumUp had already observed a growth of 35.1% in activity and 27.3% in turnover compared with summer 2024.
The restaurant sector remains the engine of activity
As in the previous summer season, cafes and restaurants are among the sectors showing the strongest gains.
In July, the sector records a rise of 24.3% in activity and a 45.5% increase in turnover compared with July 2025. The food trucks also benefit from this momentum, with +20% activity and +24% turnover.
The momentum continues in August. Cafes and restaurants show a rise of 13.6% in activity and 31.1% in turnover.
This performance extends the trend observed in 2025, when cafes and restaurants recorded a turnover growth of 31.4% and an activity growth of 45.8% over the studied period.
In July, the sector records a rise of 24.3% in activity and a 45.5% increase in turnover compared with July 2025. The food trucks also benefit from this momentum, with +20% activity and +24% turnover.
The momentum continues in August. Cafes and restaurants show a rise of 13.6% in activity and 31.1% in turnover.
This performance extends the trend observed in 2025, when cafes and restaurants recorded a turnover growth of 31.4% and an activity growth of 45.8% over the studied period.
Tourism and accommodation benefit from the summer season
Professionals directly linked to holidays also profit from this consumption dynamic.
In July, activity in the accommodation and hospitality sector rises by 10.6%, while its turnover soars by 62.3% year on year. The tourism sector shows a turnover increase of 44.7%.
The trend remains positive in August, with tourism turnover up by 20.5% year on year. Accommodation and hospitality likewise register an increase of 36.5%.
For SumUp, these results illustrate the dynamism of the entire tourism ecosystem, supported by holiday and leisure spending during the departure and return periods of vacationers.
The analysis also highlights several peak periods during the season. Nationally, the week of 20 to 26 July 2026 constitutes the main consumption peak of the month. Activity then rises by 17% and turnover by 37% compared with the same week in 2025.
In August, the peak occurs during the week of 16 to 23 August, with a rise of 17% in activity and 35% in turnover year on year.
In July, activity in the accommodation and hospitality sector rises by 10.6%, while its turnover soars by 62.3% year on year. The tourism sector shows a turnover increase of 44.7%.
The trend remains positive in August, with tourism turnover up by 20.5% year on year. Accommodation and hospitality likewise register an increase of 36.5%.
For SumUp, these results illustrate the dynamism of the entire tourism ecosystem, supported by holiday and leisure spending during the departure and return periods of vacationers.
The analysis also highlights several peak periods during the season. Nationally, the week of 20 to 26 July 2026 constitutes the main consumption peak of the month. Activity then rises by 17% and turnover by 37% compared with the same week in 2025.
In August, the peak occurs during the week of 16 to 23 August, with a rise of 17% in activity and 35% in turnover year on year.
Île-de-France stands out in August
The performances vary across territories.
In July, the Pays de la Loire register a 31% rise in activity and a 48% increase in turnover. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté shows +18% and +40%, Bretagne +19% and +38%, while Nouvelle-Aquitaine progresses by 18% in activity and 32% in turnover.
The Île-de-France also ranks among the most dynamic regions in July, with +24% activity and +48% turnover.
In August, the Centre-Val de Loire confirms its progression, with +24% activity and +31% turnover. Brittany and Nouvelle-Aquitaine continue their growth as well, with +15% and +14% activity respectively.
The Île-de-France nevertheless retains a special place with a 44% increase in turnover, the strongest regional growth observed by SumUp on this indicator in August.
According to the fintech, this territorial distribution extends certain trends already seen in 2025, notably in several Western regions such as Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Normandy.
In July, the Pays de la Loire register a 31% rise in activity and a 48% increase in turnover. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté shows +18% and +40%, Bretagne +19% and +38%, while Nouvelle-Aquitaine progresses by 18% in activity and 32% in turnover.
The Île-de-France also ranks among the most dynamic regions in July, with +24% activity and +48% turnover.
In August, the Centre-Val de Loire confirms its progression, with +24% activity and +31% turnover. Brittany and Nouvelle-Aquitaine continue their growth as well, with +15% and +14% activity respectively.
The Île-de-France nevertheless retains a special place with a 44% increase in turnover, the strongest regional growth observed by SumUp on this indicator in August.
According to the fintech, this territorial distribution extends certain trends already seen in 2025, notably in several Western regions such as Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Normandy.
A summer season favorable to merchants
For SumUp, these results reflect a solid performance of consumption in France despite the episodes of extreme heat recorded during the summer.
“Summer 2026 confirms the solid state of consumption in France despite the heatwaves“, analyzes the fintech. The dining sector remains, according to it, the main driver of this momentum, while accommodation and tourism directly benefit from the summer season.
Beyond Île-de-France, the performances recorded in Pays de la Loire and the Centre-Val de Loire also testify to a momentum that goes beyond the main economic hubs. Expenditures related to holidays and leisure will thus have contributed to supporting merchants’ activity throughout the season.
“Summer 2026 confirms the solid state of consumption in France despite the heatwaves“, analyzes the fintech. The dining sector remains, according to it, the main driver of this momentum, while accommodation and tourism directly benefit from the summer season.
Beyond Île-de-France, the performances recorded in Pays de la Loire and the Centre-Val de Loire also testify to a momentum that goes beyond the main economic hubs. Expenditures related to holidays and leisure will thus have contributed to supporting merchants’ activity throughout the season.
