The index, which is supported by the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, found that consumer confidence was at -17 for December, led by rises in scores covering economic performance.

Perceptions of the general economic situation over the past year was up three points to -40 and outlook for the general economic situation over the next 12 months also rose three points to -29.

The major purchase index, which examines whether now is a good time to make a major purchase, was up four points to -11, and up five points from the same month in 2024.

The index found that the scores for personal finances over the past year and also for the year ahead were both up one point, to -6 and a positive score of two, respectively.

The savings index, which covers whether the time is right to save money, had no change from November, and is in positive territory with a score of 24.

The results are based on a survey of 2,003 UK adults carried out between 1^st and 11^th December 2025.

Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: “It’s tempting to see festive cheer in December’s two-point improvement in consumer confidence. Are we seeing a sigh of relief that the Autumn Budget wasn’t as bad as most had feared? 

“All five measures are up this month led by a four-point jump in major purchase intentions. This is a surprise finding for the UK high street because it contrasts with the Black Friday sales slump we reported on earlier this month. Have people decided to spend on Christmas regardless, and worry about 2026 later?”

Bellamy added that looking at the full year results for 2025, with the December 2025 score being identical to that in December 2024, this year had been a “year of no progress” for UK consumer confidence.

“UK households still face cost-of-living pressures, despite the recent softening in inflation, along with rising economic uncertainty, and those conditions result in weaker consumer confidence,” Bellamy explained.

“Sadly, consumers resemble a family on a festive winter hike, crossing a boggy field – plodding along stoically, getting stuck in the mud and hoping that easier conditions are not far off.”