London, July 23, 2026 –GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index was up six points to -17 in July. All five measures rose compared to last month’s announcement. These are the current findings of the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB) powered by NIM. The CCB has been published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), the founder of GfK, since October 2023.
Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, an NIQ Company, says: “Hot on the heels of the summer heatwaves, July has delivered a wave of optimism. This month’s six-point jump to -17 marks the largest increase in consumer confidence since November 2023. The lion’s share of the improvement is in the economy, with a ten-point advance in how consumers view the past year and an eight-point gain for the next 12 months. Motivations to make major purchases are also up eight points. The sense of a fresh start following the appointment of a new prime minister surely accounts for some of this bounce. There were also hopes at the start of July that the Middle East conflict might stabilise and bring UK fuel prices down. The feel-good factor of the FIFA World Cup will have reinforced sentiment too. However, July’s improved Overall Index Score remains within the narrow range seen since the end of 2023, and it is a decade since the headline score was in positive territory. For the “Burnham bounce” to be sustainable and boost consumer confidence, it will require consistent delivery by the refreshed UK government against deep cost-of-living challenges and persistent low economic growth.”
GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM — UK Measures – July 2026
The Overall Index Score was up six points to -17 in July. All five measures rose compared to last month’s announcement.
Personal Financial Situation
The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months has increased two points to -8. This is one point lower than July 2025.
The forecast for personal finances over the next year is up three points at +1. This is one point lower than this time last year.
General Economic Situation
The measure for the country’s general economic situation over the last 12 months has increased by ten points to -39. This is five points better than a year ago.
Expectations for the general economic situation over the coming 12 months have risen by eight points to -28. This is one point above July last year.
Major Purchase Index
The Major Purchase Index has increased eight points to -12 for July, which is three points higher than July last year.
Savings Index
The Savings Index is up seven points to +27; this is seven points lower than this time last year. This measure is commented on but not included in the Overall Index Score.
Ends
Notes to editor: Please source all information to the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM
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About the survey
- The data in the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB), powered by NIM, is collected by GfK. The CCB has been published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), the founder of GfK, since October 2023.
- This month’s survey was conducted among a sample of 2,012 individuals aged 16+ in the UK.
- Quotas are imposed on age, sex, region, and social class to ensure the final sample is representative of the UK population.
- Interviewing was conducted between July 1st and July 14th 2026.
- The figures in the GfK CCB powered by NIM have an estimated margin of error of +/-2%.
- The Overall Index Score is calculated using underlying data that runs to two decimal points.
- The press release dates for the remaining months of 2026 (all dates fall on a Friday) are:
- August 21st, September 25th, October 23rd, November 20th and December 18th.
- Any published material must include a reference to the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, e.g. ‘Source: GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM’.
- This study has been running since 1974. Back data is available from 2006.
- The table below is an overview of the questions asked to obtain the individual index measures:
| Personal Financial Situation (Q1/Q2) | This index is based on the following questions to consumers: ‘How has the financial situation of your household changed over the last 12 months?’ ‘How do you expect the financial position of your household to change over the next 12 months?’ (a lot better – a little better – stay(ed) the same – a little worse – a lot worse) |
| General Economic Situation (Q3/Q4) | This index is based on the following questions to consumers: ‘How do you think the general economic situation in this country has changed over the last 12 months?’ ‘How do you expect the general economic situation in this country to develop over the next 12 months?’ (a lot better – a little better – stay(ed) the same – a little worse – a lot worse) |
| Major Purchase Index (Q8) | This index is based on the following question to consumers: ‘In view of the general economic situation, do you think now is the right time for people to make major purchases such as furniture or electrical goods?’ (right time – neither right nor wrong time – wrong time) |
| Savings Index (Q10) | This index is based on the following question to consumers: ‘In view of the general economic situation do you think now is?’ (a very good time to save – a fairly good time to save – not a good time to save – a very bad time to save) (Commented on but not included in the Index Score) |
About the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM
There is no other consumer research project with the longevity, rigour, and reliability of GfK’s Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB). Each month since January 1974, it has provided a snapshot of how UK consumers feel about the crucial economic topics today and their outlook for the next 12 months. It has provided insight into the UK’s thinking through boom and bust, the Brexit vote, and, most recently, the coronavirus pandemic. The CCB data collected by GfK has been published jointly with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM) since October 2023. NIM is the founder of GfK.
About the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by NIM
For over 90 years, we have earned the trust of our clients around the world by solving critical questions in their decision-making process. We fuel their growth by providing a complete understanding of their consumers’ buying behavior, and the dynamics impacting their markets, brands and media trends. In 2023, GfK combined with NIQ, bringing together two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights – delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms – GfK drives “Growth from Knowledge”.
About NIQ
NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action. With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next. For more information, please visit NIQ.com
About GfK – a NielsenIQ company
For over 90 years, we have earned the trust of our clients around the world by solving critical questions in their decision-making process. We fuel their growth by providing a complete understanding of their consumers’ buying behavior, and the dynamics impacting their markets, brands and media trends. In 2023, GfK combined with NIQ, bringing together two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights – delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms – GfK drives “Growth from Knowledge”.
About Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM)
The Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM) is a non-profit research institute at the interface of academia and practice. NIM examines how consumer decisions change due to new technology, societal trends or the application of behavioral science, and what the resulting micro- and macroeconomic impacts are for the market and society as a whole. A better understanding of consumer decisions and their impacts helps society, businesses, politics, and consumers make better decisions with regard to “prosperity for all” in the sense of the social-ecological market system. NIM is the founder of GfK. For more information visit NIM and LinkedIn.
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