First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today released itsFirst Data SpendTrendanalysis for the full month of October 2011 compared to October 2010. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

In October, dollar volume growth held steady at9.4%versus September’s growth of 9.5%. Overall transaction growth improved to7.5%in October from 7.1% in September. Inflation continued to be evident in the food sector as Food/Beverage Stores posted average ticket growth of 2.3% for the second consecutive month.

“Consumers continued to spend in October,” said Silvio Tavares, SVP and division manager of First Data Global Information and Analytics Solutions, which publishes SpendTrend. “Both transaction growth and credit card spending were up significantly; indicating consumers are increasingly disposed to spending heading into the crucial holiday season.”