Consumer confidence continues to rise
GfK NOP's Consumer Confidence Index continues to delight Heywoods as the index has reached levels not seen for a couple of years.
The index, which is the most respected barometer of the mood of UK consumers, rose by three points in October to -13 which is the highest score since January 2008. The index has been improving all year and continues the more dramatic rises which have been taking place since July.
The major purchase index is especially pleasing for Apollo Blinds as it has risen three points to -12, the highest this has been since November 2007. In the previous month there was an 11-point rise which was very encouraging as it shows there has been a massive boost of confidence for homeowners making significant decisions about their homes.
Rachael Joy in the Consumer Confidence team at GfK NOP said: "Consumer Confidence in the UK improved for the second month running to -13, a level that we have not seen since January 2008. While this is still in negative territory, we have now not seen a drop in the monthly confidence rating throughout 2009 - indicating a steady, if cautious, uplift in British confidence in our economic situation.
"Only one out of the four measures that make up our index figure showed a drop, and that was a one-point drop in our confidence in the general economy over the next 12 months, suggesting that consumers are still wary of the future and so the overall trend towards uplift is still fragile."