UK consumer confidence remained at record lows in April, as households continued to face mounting financial pressure and economic uncertainty.

The latest British Retail Consortium Opinium Consumer Sentiment Monitor showed expectations for the state of the UK economy held at -53 in April, unchanged from March and the lowest level recorded by the survey.

The figures, based on fieldwork carried out between 7 and 10 April 2026, also revealed a further deterioration in consumers’ personal financial outlook, which fell to -21 from -17, hitting another record low.

While expected retail spending rose slightly to +5 in April, up from +2 in March, the BRC said the increase was driven entirely by grocery spend.

Overall spending expectations also edged up to +15, but discretionary categories are likely to remain under pressure as shoppers rein in non-essential purchases.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Consumer confidence remained at the lowest level recorded, with people’s expectations of the economy stuck at -53.

“While expected retail spending rose, this was driven entirely by grocery spend, with most consumers expecting to rein in spending in other areas.”

She added that the figures pointed to a consumer environment still dominated by caution, with households increasingly focused on managing essential costs.

Personal savings expectations remained negative at -8, unchanged from March, suggesting limited capacity for many households to build financial resilience in the months ahead.

Dickinson said geopolitical tensions were continuing to weigh heavily on consumer sentiment.

“The Middle East conflict continues to stoke consumer anxiety around inflation and the cost of living,” she said.

“Households are expecting to see their pay packets squeezed by rising petrol, domestic energy, and food prices.”

The BRC warned that the longer volatility continues, the more uncertainty it creates across the economy, with both consumers and retailers exposed to rising costs.

Retailers are also facing higher operational pressures, including energy costs, packaging taxes and forthcoming employment and health regulations.

Dickinson said: “The longer volatility drags on, the more uncertainty it creates in the economy.”

She added that the “growing burden of domestic policy pressures” risked adding further strain to retailers, which could ultimately feed through into consumer prices.

The BRC has called for early government action to help reduce the risk of further price increases.

“Taking early, decisive action would help shield consumers from a spike in the cost of living they simply can’t afford,” Dickinson said.

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