Consumer confidence hits two-year high but ‘could soon falter’ Economics Consumer confidence has surged to a two-year high in a surprise rise which will hand a much-needed boost to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget – but experts have warned that momentum could soon run out. GfK’s closely-watched consumer confidence barometer rose to -13 in September, a rise of about one point since last month [...]
Retail sales hit highest since 2022 in surprise boost for economy Retail Retail sales jumped to their highest level since 2022 in September, boosted by sunny weather that drove a surge in demand for clothing. Fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed retail sales were 0.9 per cent higher than the previous three months. Sales volumes climbed 0.5 per cent in September, a significant boost from [...]
Consumers ‘despondent’ ahead of tax-hiking autumn Budget Retail Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, placed the blame for the decrease squarely on the Budget.