GfK: UK Consumer Confidence falls by one point in November 2015

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index has decreased one point to +1 in November. Three of the measures used to calculate the Index saw decreases this month, one increased, and the other one was unchanged.

Joe Staton, Head of Market Dynamics at GfK, says:

“From summer’s 15-year high, consumer confidence in the UK has continued to slide to +1 this month. Overall, despite the good news agenda of rock-bottom inflation, falling fuel prices and higher wage growth boosting spending power, confidence appears to be depressed by a combination of wider economic, political and social events. However, one area that continues to hold up is our expectation for our personal financial situation for the next 12 months. Shoppers also continue to tell us that now is the right time to make major purchase – such as furniture or electrical goods – with this indicator standing nearly 10 points higher than in November last year. This suggests that lots of households up and down the land will be sitting on a new three-piece suite this December to watch Downton Abbey on an ever wider TV screen while digesting their Christmas turkey and all the trimmings.”

UK CONSUMER CONFIDENCE MEASURES – NOVEMBER 2015

The Overall Index Score has decreased one point this month to +1.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION

The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last 12 months has decreased by three points this month to +1; this is eight points higher than November 2014.

The forecast for personal finances over the next 12 months has remained unchanged at +6 this month; this is four points higher than November 2014.

GENERAL ECONOMIC SITUATION

The measure for the General Economic Situation of the country during the last 12 months has decreased one point this month to -6; this is the same as November 2014.

Expectations for the General Economic Situation over the next 12 months have decreased two points to -6; this is six points lower than this time last year.

MAJOR PURCHASE INDEX

The Major Purchase Index has increased two points this month to 9; this is
nine points higher than this time last year.

SAVINGS INDEX

The Savings Index has decreased one point to 1; which is 10 points higher than November 2014.

Source : Stuart Ridsdale - GfK
www.gfk.com