GfK: Consumer Confidence Rose In December

• GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index was up two points to -17 in December. 

All measures were up 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: “It’s tempting to see festive cheer in December’s two-point improvement in consumer confidence. Are we seeing a sigh of relief that the Autumn Budget wasn’t as bad as most had feared? All five measures are up this month led by a four-point jump in major purchase intentions. This is a surprise finding for the UK high street because it contrasts with the Black Friday sales slump we reported on earlier this month. Have people decided to spend on Christmas regardless, and worry about 2026 later? However, looking at the full year, the December headline score of -17 is the same as 12 months ago, and on that basis 2025 has been a year of no progress. UK households still face cost-of-living pressures, despite the recent softening in inflation, along with rising economic uncertainty, and those conditions result in weaker consumer confidence. Sadly, consumers resemble a family on a festive winter hike, crossing a boggy field – plodding along stoically, getting stuck in the mud and hoping that easier conditions are not far off.” 

GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM — UK Measures – December 2025 

The Overall Index Score was up two points to -17 in December. All measures were up compared to last month’s announcement.  

Personal Financial Situation  

The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months has increased by one point to -6. This is one point higher than December 2024.  

The forecast for personal finances over the next year is up one point to 2. This is an improvement of one point compared to this time last year. 

General Economic Situation  

The measure for the country’s general economic situation over the last 12 months increased by three points to -40. This is one point lower than December 2024.     

Expectations for the general economic situation over the next 12 months are up three points in December to -29. This is three points worse than this time last year. 

Major Purchase Index  

The Major Purchase Index went up by four points to -11; this is five points better than last year.  

Savings Index 

The Savings Index is unchanged at 24; this is three points higher than last year. This measure is commented on but not included in the Overall Index Score. 

Source : GfK

Image : Stokkete / shutterstock / 503419588 

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