Consumer confidence in the doldrums
Fieldwork conducted on 5-8 August 2025
According to BRC-Opinium data, consumer expectations over the next three months of:
- The state of the economyimproved slightly to -32 in August, up from -33 in July.
Their personal financial situation improved slightly to -6 in August, up from -7 in July. - Their personal spending on retailrose slightly to +4 in August, up from +3 in July.
- Their personal spending overallremained unchanged at +16 in August, the same as in July.
- Their personal savingrose to +2 in August, up from -3 in July.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “While consumer confidence in the economy crept up this month, it remains 24 pts lower than a year ago, with older generations seeing the biggest falls. Full-time workers were far more optimistic than those working part-time, unemployed, or retirees, reflecting that they were also the only group who expected their financial position to improve in the next three months. With prices rising, and food inflation predicted to hit 6% by the end of the year, households are expected to spend more on retail goods in the coming months, with groceries showing the biggest increase.
“Rising food inflation will make it harder to lift consumer confidence out of the doldrums. Belief in the economy has stayed stubbornly below -30 for six of the last seven months, a far cry from the net positive sentiment in July 2024. Consumers see rising prices, gap-toothed high streets, and reports of large businesses falling into administration. Much rides on the Chancellor’s plans for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure, and only a significant reduction in the business rates burden can bring about the levels of investment needed to reinvigorate Britain’s high streets and town centres.”
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: