{"id":161025,"date":"2019-03-06T14:49:22","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T14:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/consumer-confidence-slumps-as-brexit-negotiations-stumble-to-finish-line\/"},"modified":"2021-08-12T13:55:20","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T13:55:20","slug":"consumer-confidence-slumps-as-brexit-negotiations-stumble-to-finish-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/consumer-confidence-slumps-as-brexit-negotiations-stumble-to-finish-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumer confidence slumps as Brexit negotiations stumble to finish line"},"content":{"rendered":"
Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since March 2013 as UK consumers have grown increasingly unsure about the government\u2019s Brexit negotiations<\/strong> and what this might mean for them financially.<\/p>\n GlobalData's Present Sentiment Index has fallen to +0.6, its lowest level for six years<\/strong> (when the Index first began) leading to a clamp down in discretionary spending.<\/p>\n Zoe Mills, Retail Analyst at the data and analytics company said: \u201cWith parliament unable to agree on a plan for after 29 March \u2013 when the UK is scheduled to exit the EU \u2013 consumers are shunning discretionary spend, concerned regarding the affordability of essential products and anxious about job security<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n GlobalData has warned that the Index may yet fall into negative territory this month as Prime Minister Theresa May concedes that Brexit may have to be delayed until the end of June.<\/p>\n The Present Sentiment Index, which captures views on a number of areas such as affordability of discretionary treat spend, store visits and perceptions of whether now is a good time to make large purchases such as a new television or a new car, has witnessed a persistent downward trend since January 2017.<\/strong><\/p>\n It took some time for the Index to show a decline following the vote to leave the EU in June 2016, GlobalData said. Brexit voters initially remained optimistic about the country\u2019s future post Brexit, however, as talks have dragged on with limited resolution, consumers are growing more concerned<\/strong> about the negative implications of a no-deal Brexit, which has become a realistic possibility.<\/p>\n GlobalData added that the appeal of January sales has been limited given the high level of discounting at the end of 2018<\/strong> and as such, and as such there was little that retailers could do to encourage spending until consumers are certain about what will happen from April.<\/p>\n