GfK: Consumer Confidence Up Two Points In August

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by two points to -17 in August. Four measures were up and one was down in comparison 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: “The biggest changes in August are in confidence in personal finances, with the scores looking back and ahead a year each up by three points. This is likely due to the Bank of England’s August 7th cut in interest rates, delivering the lowest cost of borrowing for more than two years. The improved sentiment on personal finances is welcome, but there are many clouds on the horizon in the form of inflation – the highest since January 2024 – and rising unemployment. There’s no shortage of speculation, too, about what the autumn Budget will bring in terms of tax rises. While August’s Overall Index Score of -17 is the best this year, consumer confidence continues to move in a very narrow band, and there’s no sense that it is about to break out into fresher, more optimistic territory. The UK’s consumers are still in wait-and-see mode, and any surprises could result in sudden and sharp changes in sentiment.”

GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM — UK Measures – August 2025
The Overall Index Score increased by two points to -17 in August. Four measures were up and one was down in comparison to last month’s announcement.

Personal Financial Situation
The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year is up three points at -4; this is three points better than August 2024.

The forecast for personal finances over the next 12 months is up three points at +5; this is one point worse than this time last year.

General Economic Situation
The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months is up two points to -42; this is seven points worse than in August 2024.  

Expectations for the general economic situation over the next 12 months have decreased one point to -30; this is 15 points worse than August 2024.

Major Purchase Index
The Major Purchase Index is up two points at -13; this is the same as this month last year.

Savings Index
The Savings Index has dropped four points to +30 in August; this is three points lower than this time last year.

Source : GfK - an NIQ company

Image : shutterstock / 1137631598 / William Barton

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