Consumer spending was up 1.3% in July compared to the same period in 2014, the national statistics office CBS said on Friday.

Consumers have been spending more for the past year, after years of decline, the CBS said. Furniture and domestic appliances were among the sectors recording the most growth, with a rise of 5.4%.

However, spending on alcohol and tobacco was down 1.6% on July 2014.

Despite being more willing to spend, consumer confidence was down one point in September at +5. Consumer spending had slumped to -44 in February 2013.