Consumer sentiment ticks higher in January - BRC
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Thursday 22 Jan 2026
(Sharecast News) - UK consumers are becoming cautiously more optimistic about the health of the economy, a survey showed on Thursday.
According to January's BRC-Opinium consumer sentiment monitor, respondents expect to spend less on retail over the next three months, with the measure falling to -6 from December's 6. Overall spending expectations were also notably lower post-Christmas, sliding to 5 from 17.
However, respondents appeared more confident about the wider economy.
Expectations about the state of the economy over the next three months rose to -32 from -38 in December, the second consecutive monthly rise.
Expectations for respondents' personal financial situation were also stronger. The indicator nudged closer to positive territory, rising two points to -8.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "The new year brought hints of optimism, with the second consecutive improvement in consumer confidence in the economy and in people's own finances. This was the highest in five months, though similar to a year earlier.
"The contrasting sharp fall in spending expectations was expected as the festive season came to a close."
She added that while the improved readings were "encouraging", the renewed optimism showed "just how important it is for government to build momentum and restore confidence to the levels seen in previous years".
"With wages still struggling to keep pace with higher costs of living, many people feel as though neither their own finances nor the wider economy is moving forward."
Inflation data published on Wednesday showed a slight uptick in the consumer price index, to 3.4%, while recent labour market data showed wage growth slowly modestly.
Opinium surveyed 2,000 adults between 6 and 9 January 2026. Results were then weighted and assigned a net score.
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