Fieldwork conducted on 8-11 July 2025
According to BRC-Opinium data, consumer expectations over the next three months of:
- The state of the economy worsened to -33 in July, down from -28 in June.
- Their personal financial situation worsened to -7 in July, down from -5 in June.
- Their personal spending on retail rose to +3 in July, up from +2 in June.
- Their personal spending overall rose to +16 in July, up from +12 in June.
- Their personal saving rose slightly to -3 in July, up from -4 in June.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:
“With the UK economy shrinking for the second consecutive month, it is little surprise that consumer confidence fell in July. Rising inflation, particularly for food, has put more pressure on personal finances, increasing the cost of living. This has caused spending expectations to rise, particularly for groceries, as households anticipate higher prices at the till.
“Despite fierce competition between retailers, retail inflation has risen steadily over the last nine months as a result of the Chancellor’s last Budget, which significantly increased employment costs. Further tax rises hitting the retail industry at the next Budget would likely fan the flames of inflation as retailers are forced to increase prices. The Chancellor has the opportunity to support households and high streets: the proposed business rates reforms could make the system fairer, provided government ensures that no store pays more as a result.”
Consumer expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months:
Consumer expectations for their personal financial situation over the next three months:
Consumer expectations of spending over the next three months by category:
Consumer NET expectations of spending over the next three months by category:
|
|
Home and garden furniture |
Small electronics |
Large electronics |
Home leisure goods |
Health and beauty |
Fashion / clothing |
DIY / home improvements |
Eating out / restaurants / cafes |
Entertainment & leisure |
Food / groceries |
|
Aug 24 |
-17 |
-16 |
-15 |
-15 |
-12 |
-20 |
-7 |
-16 |
-11 |
+13 |
|
Sep 24 |
-17 |
-14 |
-14 |
-11 |
-13 |
-21 |
-7 |
-13 |
-11 |
+9 |
|
Oct 24 |
-17 |
-13 |
-14 |
-10 |
-11 |
-18 |
-6 |
-11 |
-9 |
+20 |
|
Nov 24 |
-18 |
-14 |
-15 |
-11 |
-11 |
-18 |
-6 |
-8 |
-9 |
+20 |
|
Dec 24 |
-17 |
-16 |
-15 |
-14 |
-15 |
-21 |
-7 |
-13 |
-10 |
+16 |
|
Jan 25 |
-15 |
-19 |
-15 |
-16 |
-17 |
-24 |
-6 |
-22 |
-17 |
+14 |
|
Feb 25 |
-10 |
-12 |
-16 |
-14 |
-11 |
-21 |
-1 |
-12 |
-8 |
+16 |
|
Mar 25 |
-8 |
-13 |
-14 |
-12 |
-11 |
-16 |
+1 |
-12 |
-8 |
+24 |
|
Apr 25 |
-7 |
-13 |
-12 |
-9 |
-11 |
-15 |
-2 |
-9 |
-9 |
+31 |
|
May 25 |
-9 |
-14 |
-15 |
-13 |
-10 |
-16 |
-1 |
-10 |
-10 |
+23 |
|
Jun 25 |
-13 |
-16 |
-16 |
-14 |
-11 |
-18 |
-2 |
-11 |
-9 |
+20 |
|
Jul 25 |
-10 |
-13 |
-14 |
-11 |
-6 |
-12 |
-1 |
-5 |
-5 |
+27 |
