The GfK consumer confidence index, Britain's longest-running survey of its type, dropped to a three-month low of -30 in October from September's reading of -21.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a modest improvement to -20, and the nine-point drop was the largest since a one-off survey GfK did at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
"This sharp fall underlines that the cost-of-living crisis, and simply not having enough money to make-ends-meet, are still exerting acute pressure for many consumers," Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said.
Households' willingness to make major purchases recorded an especially sharp monthly fall, which GfK said would worry retailers in the run-up to Christmas, although the level of the index remained above where it was in October 2022.
The poll of 2,000 individuals aged 16 and over took place from Oct. 2 and Oct. 13.
Persons:
Joe Staton, Staton, GfK, David Milliken
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
British