Consumer confidence hits a new low on the UK high streets
Over the last few days we have seen a number of consumer surveys which have indicated a further fall in consumer confidence in the UK. This news together with recent confirmation that life is tough on the high street does not bode well for the UK economy in the short to medium term. This drop in confidence has been further exacerbated by a rise in the unemployment numbers in the UK with many fearing for their jobs in the run-up to Christmas.
Many experts are hoping that a reduction in UK interest rates will at worst see the consumer confidence index stabilise and hopefully begin to move higher in the short to medium term. As we have suggested on a number of occasions, consumer confidence is a vital element of the mix required to see the UK economy pickup in due course.
We are highly likely to see an increase in consumer confidence before we see any marked improvement in the economy, the property market and the stock market. The UK banks also have a major part to play in this next stage of the UK economy although at the moment they do not appear to be playing ball.
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