UK consumer sentiment picks up in May - BRC
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Thursday 22 May 2025
(Sharecast News) - British consumer sentiment strengthened in May, a survey found on Thursday, after the UK secured a key trade deal with the US.
According to the latest consumer sentiment monitor from the British Retail Consortium, expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months improved to -36 from -48 in April.
The personal financial situation also nudged higher, to -12 from -16, although personal spending on retail fell three points to 0 and personal spending overall was unchanged at 10.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: "Consumer confidence improved as UK economic growth picked up and geopolitical tensions eased as the US-China trade war began to cool.
"However, it remains far below levels seen last year."
US president Donald Trump unveiled his sweeping global tariff regime on 2 April, with a number of countries - including China and the European Union - imposing their own reciprocal taxes.
However, since then Beijing and Washington have agreed a 90-day truce which has seen both countries slash previously sky-high tariffs on each other's imports, while at home, the UK signed key trade deals with the US, India and the EU.
Dickinson said: "Only weeks ago, consumers were facing uncertainty arising from Trump's eye-water tariffs. Fast-forward to today and the UK has trade deals with some of the world's largest economies.
"While agreements with the US and India may have helped this month's boost in consumer confidence, it is hoped the latest EU deal will drive further confidence in the outlook for the economy and personal finances."
A sample of 2,000 UK adults were surveyed by Opinium on behalf of the BRC between 6 and 9 May. The deal with the EU was announced on Monday.
Email this article to a friend
or share it with one of these popular networks:
You are here: news
10 Lower Thames St,
London EC3R 6EN