Warning issued over UK’s client confidence regardless of January rise

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Client confidence rose barely in January, pushed by family “resilience” relatively than optimism concerning the financial system, figures present.

GfK’s long-running Client Confidence Index elevated by one level to minus-16, marking 10 years for the reason that barometer was final in optimistic territory.

Confidence in private funds over the following 12 months rose 4 factors to 6, which is eight factors greater than this time final 12 months.

Nonetheless, expectations for the overall financial scenario over the approaching 12 months fell two factors to minus 31, though that is three factors greater than final January.

The Main Buy Index – a measure of confidence in shopping for big-ticket gadgets – rose one level to minus 10, 10 factors greater than final 12 months.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/15/7/52/GettyImages-2252913523.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/15/7/52/GettyImages-2252913523.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/15/7/52/GettyImages-2252913523.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Confidence in personal finances over the next year rose four points to six, which is eight points higher than this time last year" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE"/> Confidence in private funds over the following 12 months rose 4 factors to 6, which is eight factors greater than this time final 12 months (Getty) GfK client insights director Neil Bellamy stated: “January 2026 brings an undesirable anniversary, marking 10 years since client confidence was final in optimistic territory.

“Even with a one-point enhance in headline confidence this month to minus 16, we stay a great distance from shoppers feeling that higher days are across the nook.

“Sure, perceptions of non-public funds have improved, however that is offset by rising considerations concerning the financial system.

“We’ve seen this sample earlier than. During times of political and financial uncertainty – most notably in late 2022 – shoppers grew to become extra cautious but in addition extra self-reliant.

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“What we’re witnessing now could be a return to that mindset: individuals really feel they will handle their very own funds, however they continue to be unconvinced concerning the wider financial outlook.

“Let’s be clear, this isn’t optimism; it’s resilience.

“Customers are as soon as once more specializing in what they will management – their very own spending and saving – whereas confidence within the wider financial system stays low.