January proved to be a month of two halves for consumer spending, with a sharp spike in transactions at the end of the month following a subdued start, new transaction data from Checkout.com reveals, as shoppers held out for paydays and deeper discounts.

Spending picked up after New Year, with transaction volumes on 02 Jan 2026 tracking +28% higher than the daily average, as consumers engaged with seasonal sales. However, the number of payments dipped in the second and third weeks of the month, falling to their lowest point on 17 Jan 2026, when spending dropped -11% on the daily average.

Activity then accelerated significantly in the final week of the month, peaking on 30 Jan 2026, when transaction volumes rose +89%.

“January’s spending patterns show just how deliberate consumers have become about when they choose to spend, with activity increasingly concentrated around paydays and deep discount periods rather than spread evenly,” said Rory O’Neill, CMO at Checkout.com.

“That timing pressure is accelerating the shift towards more automated ways to shop. Our research shows nearly one in five people already use AI to help them find discount codes and deals,” he said.