28 March 2024, 19:36
By Furniture News Nov 30, 2017

Consumer Confidence hit in November

GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased by two points to -12 in November. All five measures used to calculate the score fell in November, with the biggest drop occurring in the Major Purchase Index, which was down 6 points.

Joe Staton, head of market dynamics at GfK, says: “Sadly, there’s no festive cheer in this month’s Consumer Confidence Index. This is the second time this year that consumer confidence has matched the worrying -12 score seen in July 2016 after the Brexit vote.

"This is also the 20th consecutive month where the overall index score has come in at a negative value – that’s not good festive news. Household jitters following the recent interest rate hike, squeezed incomes, higher inflation, and economic uncertainty have dampened the consumer mood across the UK.

"Perhaps of most concern during this key Christmas trading period is the plunge in the Major Purchase Index (a sharp 6-point drop). Many retailers have been hit by the slowdown in consumer spending as households begin to feel the pinch and cut back on their budgets. The confidence trajectory is unquestionably negative, and sadly no amount of tinsel or baubles will change it. We need some big, positive economic good tidings to reverse this downwards trend – some snap we can put into our Christmas crackers. But where will the index be next month?”

© 2013 - 2024 Gearing Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved.