GfK: Consumer Confidence Falls for Third Consecutive Month

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index fell four points to -25 in April. Four measures were down and one was flat, compared to last month’s announcement. These are the current findings of the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB) powered by NIM. The CCB has been published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), the founder of GfK, since October 2023.  

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, an NIQ Company, says: “Consumers really do have the jitters now. The anxiety we saw last month has deepened with a four-point fall in April’s consumer confidence headline score to -25. It is a year since we last saw a monthly drop of this size, and we have to go back to October 2023 to find the last time consumer confidence was lower. The biggest declines are in perceptions of the UK economy, with an eight-point slide in views on the economic picture over the last 12 months, and a six-point fall in the forward-looking measure to -43, its lowest level since February 2023. Consumers were arguably resilient about their personal finances in March, but this month’s finance measures, looking back a year (-11) and looking forward (-4), have seen significant slides. Everyone is grappling with rapid price rises, especially at the fuel pumps, which are taking a dent out of household budgets, and people know further price hikes are coming. The only measure to go up is our savings index, often an indication that people are concerned about what lies ahead, so those who can are building contingency funds. Consumer confidence is deteriorating sharply, with fuel prices and threats of more energy price increases acting as constant reminders of inflation. While the Gulf crisis is intensifying pressures, much of the current strain reflects earlier domestic cost increases. How long can all this disruption and pain continue?”  

GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM — UK Measures – April 2026 

The Overall Index Score was down four points to -25 in April. Four measures were down and one was flat, compared to last month’s announcement. 

Personal Financial Situation  

The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months has dropped four points to -11. This is one point worse than April 2025.  

The forecast for personal finances over the next year is down five points to -4. This is one point lower than this time last year. 

General Economic Situation  

The measure for the country’s general economic situation over the last 12 months has decreased by eight points to -51. This is four points less than a year ago.  

Expectations for the general economic situation over the coming 12 months have fallen six points to -43. This is six points worse than April last year. 

Major Purchase Index  

The Major Purchase Index has stayed the same at -18, which is one point better than April last year.  

Savings Index 

The Savings Index has increased five points to 32; this is two points higher than this time last year. This measure is commented on but not included in the Overall Index Score. 

Source : GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM

Image : Ivan Balvan / iStock / 1164273151

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