UK consumers remain subdued as they brace for tougher times, GfK survey shows - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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UK consumers remain subdued as they brace for tougher times, GfK survey shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 18, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: June 18, 2026

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GfK Survey: UK Consumer Confidence Unchanged in June as Young Adults Turn Gloomy

June 2024 UK Consumer Confidence Insights

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - British consumer confidence held steady in June but younger people turned more pessimistic about the economy and their personal financial situation against a backdrop of political uncertainty, a long-running survey showed on Friday.

GfK Consumer Confidence Index Results

GfK's monthly Consumer Confidence Index held at -23 in June the same as in May, and marginally above economists' median forecast in a Reuters poll that had pointed to a fall to -24.

Analysis of Headline Figures

"The lack of movement in the headline figure is misleading as, beneath the surface, there are new signs that confidence is weakening," Neil Bellamy, GfK's consumer insights director, said.

Key Survey Findings
  • Confidence among people aged between 16 and 29 dropped by 11 points to -2, the weakest in two years
  • Consumers' assessment of their personal financial situation over the past 12 months fell by three points to -10 while their expectations for the coming year held at -2
  • Intentions to make major purchases was unchanged at -20, its joint-lowest since January 2025
  • Households' assessment of the general economic outlook for the past year fell by two points to -49, while their outlook for the coming 12 months rose by two points to -36
  • The GfK survey was based on 2,003 responses between May 29 and June 10
Report Credits

(Reporting by Suban Abdulla; editing by David Milliken)

Key Takeaways

  • Headline index steady at –23 in June, slightly above forecasts (–24) despite underlying weakness (tradingeconomics.com)
  • Confidence among 16–29 year‑olds plunged 11 points to –2—the lowest in two years, highlighting growing pessimism among younger consumers (statista.com)
  • Consumers’ view of past year personal finances dropped to –10; major purchase intentions remained deeply subdued at –20 (investing.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

How did UK consumer confidence change in June according to GfK?
The GfK Consumer Confidence Index held steady at -23 in June, the same as in May.
Which age group showed the biggest decline in confidence?
People aged between 16 and 29 saw their confidence drop by 11 points to -2, the lowest in two years.
How did consumers' personal financial outlook change?
Consumers' assessment of their personal financial situation over the past year fell by three points to -10.
Did intentions to make major purchases change?
Intentions to make major purchases remained unchanged at -20, its joint-lowest level since January 2025.
How was the GfK survey conducted?
The GfK survey was based on 2,003 responses collected between May 29 and June 10.

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