UK consumer confidence remains subdued amid ongoing pressures

UK consumer confidence remains deeply negative, according to BRC‑Opinium data (fieldwork 7–10 April 2026). The headline economic sentiment index held at a record low of -53 while households’ personal financial outlook fell to a record -21 (from -17). Retail spending expectations ticked up modestly — driven entirely by grocery spend (+5 in April from +2 in March; overall spending +15) — but savings expectations stayed negative at -8. The data point to continued pressure on household finances, a shift from discretionary to essential spending, and heightened inflation anxiety tied to energy, petrol and food prices and geopolitical risk. Market implications: constrained demand for discretionary retailers, downside risk to UK equities in consumer sectors and potential negative pressure on sterling if weak consumption and policy costs persist.