Consumer confidence stuck in the doldrums
Fieldwork conducted on 7 – 10 April 2026
According to BRC-Opinium data, consumer expectations over the next three months of:
- The state of the economyremained at -53 in April, the same as in March. This remains the lowest on record.
- Their personal financial situationworsened to -21 in April, down from -17 in March. This is the lowest on record.
- Their personal spending on retailrose to +5 in April, up from +2 in March.
- Their personal spending overallrose to +15 in April, up from +13 in March.
- Their personal savingremained at -8 in April, the same as in March.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The Middle East conflict continues to stoke consumer anxiety around inflation and the cost of living. Amid a volatile geopolitical situation, households are expecting to see their pay packets squeezed by rising petrol, domestic energy, and food prices. Expected retail spending rose, but this was driven entirely by grocery spend, with most consumers expecting to rein in spending in other areas.
“The longer volatility drags on, the more uncertainty it creates in the economy. Businesses are battered by higher energy costs while also grappling with the growing burden of domestic policy pressures. From new packaging taxes to incoming employment and health regulations, the government has levers it can pull to limit the inflationary fallout. Taking early, decisive action would help shield consumers from a spike in the cost of living they simply can’t afford.”
Consumer expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months:
Consumer expectations for their personal financial situation over the next three months:
Consumer expectations of spending over the next three months by category:
Consumer NET expectations of spending over the next three months by category: