UK consumer confidence fell in September as all measures were down during the month.

According to the latest GfK Consumer Confidence Index, overall figures decreased by two points to -19 in September. All measures were down in comparison to last month’s announcement.

The Major Purchase Index, which includes big ticket items such as furniture, is down three points at -16; this is seven points better than this month last year.

The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months is down three points to -45; this is eight points worse than in September 2024.

The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year is down three points at -7; this is two points better than September 2024.

The Savings Index has fallen eight points to +22 in September; this is one point lower than this time last year.

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, an NIQ Company, says: “There’s an autumnal chill in the air this month, with all five measures of consumer confidence down and the Overall Index Score for September slipping two points from -17 to -19.

“The August 7th decrease in interest rates does not appear to have provided any obvious boost to the financial mood of consumers or drawn attention away from day-to-day cost issues. Both personal finance measures – past and future – are lower, while our major purchases measure has dropped three points to -16.

“Even more striking is an eight-point fall in saving intentions. Looking at the economy, sentiment is sliding sharply: in June 2024 our forward-looking measure stood at -11, but just 15 months later it has slumped to -32.

“Perceptions of the past year remain weak too, down three from last month to -45. With tax rises expected in the November budget, the risk is that confidence inevitably falls, just like the autumn leaves.”