UK consumer confidence improves in December but remains subdued - GfK

UK consumer confidence improved a little in December but remained subdued, according to a survey released on Friday by GfK.

GfK’s long-running consumer confidence index ticked up two points from November to -19, with all five confidence measures higher.

The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months rose one point to -6, while the index tracking the situation over the next year also rose one point, to 2.

The gauge tracking the general economic situation over the last 12 months increased to -40 in December from -43 the month before, while the index for the general situation over the next year improved three points to -29.

The major purchase index came in at -11 in December, up from -15 in November.

Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, an NIQ Company, said: "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."