UK consumer confidence rose modestly in December, with the GfK Consumer Confidence Index increasing by two points to -17. While all five sub-measures improved compared to November, confidence remains subdued after a year of stagnation.
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Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, commented:
"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."
Key findings from December 2025 include:
- Personal Financial Situation: Index up one point to -6 for the past 12 months; forecast for the next 12 months up one point to 2.
- General Economic Situation: Past 12 months up three points to -40; expectations for the next 12 months up three points to -29.
- Major Purchase Index: Up four points to -11, five points better than December 2024.
- Savings Index: Unchanged at 24, three points higher than last year.
The data is based on a representative survey of 2,003 UK adults aged 16+, conducted from 1–11 December 2025, with an estimated margin of error of ±2%.
The GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, powered by the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), has been tracking UK consumer sentiment monthly since 1974 and provides long-term insights into consumer behaviour, including during economic challenges, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information:
Nielsen IQ
www.nielseniq.com
