Consumer Confidence Falls By Five Points In September

• UK consumers reveal anxieties about possible cost of living

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index decreased five points to -13 in September. All measures were down in comparison to the August 20th announcement.

Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director GfK, comments: “On the back of concerns about rising prices for fuel and food, the growth in headline inflation, tax hikes, empty shelves and the end of the furlough scheme, September sees consumers slamming on the brakes as those already in economic hardship anticipate a potential cost of living crisis.

"All measures have declined this month and consumers are clearly worrying about their personal financial situation and the wider economic prospects for the year ahead. The Index also records a fall in the major purchase index: depressing news for hard-pressed retailers looking to build sales as they go into the key holiday period.

"When consumer confidence drops, shoppers tend to spend less, and this dampens the overall economic prospects for the UK. This really is an unwelcome picture if this continues into 2022 and beyond.”

UK Consumer Confidence Measures – September 2021

The Overall Index Score decreased five points to -13 in September. All measures were down in comparison to the August 20th announcement.

Personal Financial Situation

The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months has dropped four points to -4; this is three points better than September 2020. 

The forecast for personal finances over the next 12 months has decreased six points to +5; this is four points higher than this time last year.

General Economic Situation

The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months is down one point at -43; this is 18 points higher than in September 2020.  

Expectations for the general economic situation over the coming 12 months have fallen by ten points to -16; but this is still 22 points higher than September 2020.

Major Purchase Index

The Major Purchase Index has decreased by three points to -6 in September; this is 15 points higher than it was this month last year.

Savings Index

The Savings Index is down three points to +22 in September; this is only two points higher than this time last year.

Source : GfK

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