With Christmas now around the corner, expectations of spending, particularly on retail goods, rose sharply, with a corresponding drop in expected savings, although furniture confidence remained low.
According to BRC-Opinium data, consumer expectations over the next three months show the state of the economy slightly improved to -35 in October, up from -36 in September.
Their personal financial situation worsened to -11 in October, down from -7 in September. Their personal spending on retail rose to +14 in October, up from +5 in September.
Their personal spending overall rose to +18 in October, up from +14 in September. Their personal saving fell to -9 in October, down from 0 in September.
Within the categories, consumer expectations over the same period for spending on home and garden furniture are down -17%, widening from -13% the previous month, while DIY and home improvements were down at -2%, declining from a flat 0%.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Worries about the cost of Christmas, coupled with concerns about potential tax rises in the upcoming Budget are likely to have contributed to the drop in sentiment around personal finances, which fell into double digits for the first time since May.
“While the prospect of Christmas may have boosted expectations of grocery spending, the general rise in food prices has meant many families are struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Retailers are doing what they can to limit price rises, but high costs from the last Budget – including increased employment and packaging taxes – are still filtering through into inflation.
“The Budget is an important opportunity to relieve some of these cost pressures – particularly the disproportionate burden of business rates on the retail industry.”
