Consumer confidence fell again in Q3 as high prices continued to squeeze household budgets

Consumer confidence in Northern Ireland fell again in the third quarter of 2022 as higher prices continued to squeeze household finances, according to new analysis from Danske Bank.

The Danske Bank Northern Ireland Consumer Confidence Index fell significantly to 92 in the third quarter of 2022, down from 103 in the second quarter of the year, and well below the 137 posted in the third quarter of 2021.

Compared with the previous quarter, respondents to the survey reported feeling less confident about their current finances, future finances, job security and expected spending on expensive items.

When asked about factors that had the largest negative impact on confidence levels, 47% of respondents attributed it to the impact of higher prices on their household finances, 13% pointed to global risks, including the war in Ukraine, and 11% highlighted the post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland.

For 35% of those surveyed, society’s adjustment to living with Covid-19 had the largest positive impact on their confidence levels, with 23% unsure of what was making them feel more positive and 14% of respondents stating the overall performance of the local economy boosted confidence.

In the latest survey, 18% of people felt their financial position had improved over the past 12 months, but 56% believed their finances were in a worse position.

When asked about their future finances, 15% of respondents expected their financial position to improve over the next year, however 63% thought their finances would worsen.

Expectations around job security fell over the quarter with 12% of people expecting to become more secure in their job, 58% of respondents feeling their job security would remain unchanged and 12% expecting their job security to worsen.

In terms of spending, 18% of consumers expected to spend more on expensive items over the next year, compared with 55% who expected to spend less.

Commenting on the latest release, Danske Bank chief economist Conor Lambe, said: “Inflation in the UK is at a multi-decade high and is exerting a significant squeeze on consumer spending power.

"In September, the month our survey was completed, the annual inflation rate in the UK was 10.1% and it increased to 11.1% in October, more than five times its 2% target rate.

“Beneath the headline figures, price pressures are evident across a wide range of goods and services including household energy, motor fuels and food.

"Looking forward, demand in the economy is projected to be weaker in 2023 and the rate of inflation is expected to decline gradually. However, the rate of price rises is still expected to exceed the 2% target when averaged over the year, with annual consumer spending being squeezed as a result.”