Consumer confidence falls in December

A survey by GfK NOP for the European Commission has revealed a fall in consumer confidence for December.

It was the second consecutive month that morale was low - the last time confidence fell for two consecutive months was in July 2008.

The consumer confidence index fell from -17 in November to -19 in December - after the index hit its highest reading in almost two years in October.

Meanwhile, consumers’ expectations for the next six months dropped by 9 points and confidence in the outlook for personal finances over the next 12 months fell 2 points.

However, on a positive note, the measurement of the climate for major purchases grew by 3 points.

Commenting on the figures, Nick Moon, managing director of GfK NOP Social Research, said: “After a dramatic increase in the index from August to October the index has now fallen back for two months in a row, and another month of falls could see all of the gains since August disappear.”

The survey was conducted between December 4 and December 13 and questioned over 2,000 consumers aged 16 or over.

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