Consumer Confidence news and archive

Britain’s retail mood darkens as inflation bites

Consumer confidence in the UK slipped further in September, with fashion and retail sectors feeling the blunt of swelling cost pressures. According to recent BRC-Opinium data, optimism about the economy deteriorated: expectations for its state over the next three months dropped to -36, from -32 in August. Personal financial outlook also edged...

Retail

German consumer confidence stalls: HDE report

The upward trend in German consumer confidence has stalled, according to the latest survey results from the German Retail Federation (HDE). "Caution continues to govern consumer behaviour," the HDE stated. "A noticeable recovery in private consumption is not expected in the near future." The HDE's findings are based on the August HDE Consumer...

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UK retail insolvencies surge amid tax burden and weak consumer confidence

The UK's retail sector is showing signs of distress, with company insolvencies in the trade rising sharply for the second consecutive month. According to figures released this week, retail trade insolvencies climbed to 192 in May 2025, a 16 percent increase from April’s 165 cases, and 20 percent higher than the 160 recorded in May 2024. While...

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Retail braces for a rocky start to 2025

The British Retail Consortium’s latest BRC-Opinium Consumer Confidence Tracker paints a stark picture for the retail sector heading into 2025. While consumer sentiment around personal financial situations held steady at -3 in December, broader economic pessimism deepened significantly, with expectations about the state of the economy plunging to...

Retail

March consumer confidence remains unchanged

Consumer confidence in March has remained steady despite a more optimistic outlook on personal finances. The GfK Consumer Confidence Index has stayed at -21, with a slight increase in expectations for the general economic situation over the next year and a notable rise in forecasts for personal finances, reported the Retail Bulletin. While...

Retail

UK Consumer Confidence improves in August

The long-observed Consumer Confidence Index by GfK has notched a five-point uptick, ascending to -25 in August. Key data from personal financial situations and general economic situations show growth compared to the prior month's assessment, noting a quiet optimism amongst consumers. Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director at GfK, said: "In the...

Retail

UK consumer confidence improves in September

Despite a surge in Covid-19 cases and increased social distancing measures imposed by the UK government, consumer confidence is up in September. New figures from the longstanding GfK Consumer Confidence Index, which has been tracking data since 1974, show an increase of two points. Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said: “Despite...

Retail

Study shows UK consumers optimistic for coming year

Consumer confidence received a boost as optimism for the economy over the coming year increased. According to the GFK Consumer Confidence Index, UK consumer confidence increased by three points to -11 for December, the biggest increase since 2016. Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director at GFK, said: “There’s a clear sense of a change in consumer...

Retail

Consumer confidence drops ahead of December election

UK consumer confidence in October fell to its joint-lowest point in six years amid continued Brexit uncertainty and ahead of the 12 December general election. GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased two points to -14 in October compared to -12 in September. Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said in a statement: “In the face of...

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French consumer confidence goes back to pre-yellow vest levels

French consumer confidence increased again in February, reaching its highest level (95 points) since November, when the “yellow vests” protests started in the country, causing over 1 billion euros in losses as many retailers were forced to close doors. That’s according to a new report by France’s National Statistics and Economic Studies Office...

Retail

Irish consumer sentiment edges up in January

Irish consumer sentiment in January has edged up thanks to post-Christmas sales and positive job news, according to the KBC Bank/ESRI consumer Sentiment Index. Despite a backdrop of Brexit uncertainty, the index increased to 98.8 in January from 96.5 in December - the second monthly increase in the last three months, but still well below last...

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'Season of uncertainty': UK consumer confidence drops to lowest point of the year

UK consumer confidence dropped to its lowest point of the year in November, falling three points to -13, according to GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index. Commenting on the results in a statement, Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said: “Against a backdrop of the Chancellor telling everyone that the Brexit deal on the table...