Yorkshire bucks national trend as consumer confidence grows

Consumer confidence rose across Yorkshire during Q2 2017, according to new data.

Bucking a national trend that saw confidence experience its biggest quarterly dip in over two years, the region’s consumers showed a slight improvement.

In its latest Consumer Tracker report, professional services giant Deloitte found that, in Yorkshire, confidence rose from -13% to -12%.

While the findings still place the region below the national average, the survey of 3,000 UK consumers found overall confidence to have fallen to -10%, down from -7% in the first three months of 2017.

Nationally, the figure has declined for three consecutive quarters.

Deloitte’s consumer business lead in Yorkshire, partner Andrew Coticelli, commented: “We have seen a negative impact on spending for both essential and discretionary categories in the last quarter.

“However, it should be noted that whilst consumer spending is certainly slowing, record levels of employment and cheap borrowing continue, and we are far away from a total drop-off.”

He continued: “Retailers are remaining competitive and are actively trying to help consumers through lower pricing, discounting and clever loyalty programmes.

“Retailers will also know that it doesn’t take much to give consumers a boost. Even a dry, hot summer may be a sufficient catalyst to lift consumer spirits in the short term.”

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