Consumer confidence has seen a notable uptick for the second consecutive month, driven largely by optimism among Gen Z, according to the latest BRC-Opinium survey conducted between 3–6 June 2025.
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The survey revealed broad-based improvements in consumer sentiment over the coming three months:
- Confidence in the UK economy rose to -28 in June, up from -36 in May.
- Expectations around personal financial situations improved to -5, from -12.
- Anticipated spending on retail increased slightly to +2, up from 0.
- Overall personal spending expectations rose to +12, from +10.
- Anticipated personal savings ticked up to -4, from -5.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, stated:
'Consumer confidence improved for the second month in a row, reaching its highest level since Christmas, albeit still firmly in negative territory. Gen Z saw the biggest improvement, in both economic outlook and their expectations of their future finances, with younger generations remaining the most optimistic about the future. This rising optimism may also reflect the increase in minimum wage from April, with many younger people expected to have seen a significant uplift in their pay packet. Expectations of future spending, both in retail and more generally, rose slightly, with more spending on groceries planned over the coming months.'
Despite this budding optimism, Dickinson urged the Government not to offset public spending commitments by burdening the retail sector further:
'The Chancellor's Spending Review laid out some big spending commitments, with the BRC welcoming its promises on skills, police and transport spending. However, with retail already paying a disproportionate tax burden compared to other industries, it is vital the Government does not balance the books on the backs of retailers and their customers.'
She continued:
'While we welcome reforms to the broken business rates system, it is vital that no shop ends up paying more as a result. With retail accounting for 5% of the economy and paying 21% of the total business rates bill, levelling the playing field would unlock investment and jobs in high streets and town centres all over the country, supporting the UK's economic growth.'
The BRC continues to advocate for fairer taxation and regulatory reforms that will support long-term economic stability and reinvigoration of the retail sector.
More information:
British Retail Consortium (BRC)
info@brc.org.uk
www.brc.org.uk