Shopper confidence rises in the run-up to Christmas

7 December 2021

The November 2021 Shopper Confidence Index, from ShopperVista – which provides category, insight and commercial professionals with trusted shopper insights – has risen for the first time since April 2021, as shoppers prepare for Christmas.

With 61% of shoppers looking forward to getting back to a ‘traditional’ Christmas following the dampened 2020 festivities and 67% thinking that Christmas is a time to splash out on food and groceries, shopper confidence increased to -9 vs -11 in October.

November 2021 results

Shopper confidence increased throughout the month, reaching a high of -6 at the end of the month, with an overall average of -9 for the month.

However, despite this apparent Christmas cheer, shoppers are increasingly concerned about food price inflation. Expectations around price increases have reached an all-time high: 85% expect food and grocery prices to increase in the year ahead and 29% expect them to get much more expensive.

Index highlights
  • Fewer shoppers were more focused on saving money in the run-up to Christmas: 21% vs 26% Oct 21
  • Overall financial confidence improved; 31% expect to be worse off in the year ahead (-3% vs Oct’21), 21% expect to be better off (+1%). Financial confidence has increased the most among lower income shoppers.
  • More higher income shoppers believe they will be worse off (28% vs 31% in October’21) than better off (22% vs 20%) in the year ahead.
  • Fewer lower income shoppers believe they will be worse off in the year ahead compared to last month (38% vs 43% October’21).
  • Shopper confidence increased across most demographic groups, particularly those aged 25+ and lower income households.
  • Northern England and Scotland were the only regions that didn’t see an increase in shopper confidence.

Rhian Thomas, Head of Insight, ShopperVista, said: “Following the bleak picture the Shopper Confidence Index painted last month, it’s refreshing to see a slightly brighter outlook as we head into the festive period. Assuming that no more restrictions are put in place as a result of the Omicron variant, we expect confidence to be elevated throughout the month.

“However, it’s unfortunately not a longer-term story of Christmas cheer. Despite the decision by the Bank of England not to raise interest rates at the moment, the media has focused heavily on the rising cost of living. We expect shoppers to increase their focus on saving money at the start of 2022, to make up for any overspending at Christmas and prepare for the energy price cap which could see household energy prices jump by more than 40%.

“Shoppers remain highly sensitive to price rises and news of any shortages, which in turn impacts confidence. “Savvy shopping” will become increasingly prevalent again in the new year and value will be top of mind.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Charlotte Jackson at [email protected]

Notes to editors

  1. Source: IGD ShopperVista; base: 1000+ British shoppers, November 2021
  2. The IGD Shopper Confidence Index blends four key measures that relate directly to the food and consumer goods sector to calculate an overall indication of shopper confidence:
    1. Household finances: expect to be better or worse off
    2. Food prices: expect to get less or more expensive
    3. Focus on quality vs. saving money: future and current focus
    4. Trust in industry: across a range of measures
  3. These measures are combined, and the Index score is calculated. The index can vary from -100 to +100, where -100 is a very negative outlook and +100 a very positive outlook. It produces a monthly indication of GB shoppers’ food and grocery confidence, with trended data going back to 2013.
  4. The IGD Shopper Confidence Index will be updated each month with our latest data. Historical trend data is available back to 2013
  5. For more information about the Index and its measures, please visit IGD ShopperVista
  6. IGD is an organisation of two interconnected communities. The profits from Commercial Insight are reinvested into Social Impact, which together work to drive change that makes a tangible difference for society, business and the individual.
    Commercial Insight is delivered through six core areas:
    1. Retail Analysis – providing trusted data and insight, straight from the heart of retail;
    2. ShopperVista – providing insight that creates the foundation for progressive shopper and category thinking;
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    6. Solutions – personalised solutions that address the critical customer and commercial challenges.
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