The British Consumer: Confidence and Spending Intentions
How households across the United Kingdom view their finances, their spending plans for the months ahead and the businesses they buy from.
British Consumer & Business Forum
Independent insight.
Informed perspectives.
The British Consumer & Business Forum brings together business expertise, consumer insight and original research to explore the issues shaping British business and everyday life.
Understanding the issues that shape business and consumer life.
BCFI brings together specialists, business leaders and informed contributors to examine developments affecting the UK economy, its businesses and the people they serve — and to contribute considered, evidence-based perspectives to public discussion.
Our purpose and approach- Independent
- Our perspectives are our own, formed through evidence and expert judgement.
- Research-led
- Original consumer surveys and industry polling underpin our commentary.
- Connected to industry
- Business leaders and specialists contribute practical experience.
Research & insight
Original research on British consumers and business
Consumer surveys, industry polling and research reports designed to inform public discussion with evidence.
Key findings
- expect to keep discretionary spending at or below current levels
- 58%expect to keep discretionary spending at or below current levels
- have switched to a lower-priced brand or retailer in the past year
- 41%have switched to a lower-priced brand or retailer in the past year
- say clear pricing is the most important factor in trusting a business
- 2 in 3say clear pricing is the most important factor in trusting a business
- made a formal complaint to a business in the past twelve months
- 27%made a formal complaint to a business in the past twelve months
Independent Business Outlook 2026
A survey of owner-managed businesses on trading conditions, costs, investment intentions and the support they consider most useful.
Trust in Online Retail
An examination of how consumers judge whether an online retailer can be trusted, and where their confidence is most often lost.
Our data partners
Organisations that support BCFI’s research programme with data and insight.
- Skubl
- Cartnio
Areas of focus
The questions that matter to British consumers and businesses
Our work is organised around eight areas where independent evidence and experienced judgement can make a useful contribution.
- 01
Consumer affairs
The rights, protections and everyday experiences of consumers across the United Kingdom.
- 02
British business
The conditions, pressures and opportunities facing companies of every size across the UK economy.
- 03
Ecommerce & online retail
How online channels are reshaping the way Britain buys and sells, and what that means for trust and competition.
- 04
Consumer behaviour
What people buy, how they decide and how their priorities change with economic conditions.
- 05
Business confidence
The outlook of business owners and leaders, and the factors that encourage or deter investment.
- 06
Technology & digital transformation
The adoption of new technology by businesses and its consequences for customers and employees.
- 07
Independent business
The owner-managed and smaller businesses that sustain local economies and high streets.
- 08
Customer experience & trust
The standards of service and conduct that build — or erode — confidence between businesses and their customers.
About BCFI
A forum for considered, independent perspectives
Public discussion of business and consumer issues is too often shaped by assertion rather than evidence. BCFI exists to provide a measured alternative: original research, interpreted by people with practical experience of the matters in question.
We bring together business leaders, specialists and informed contributors, and we are clear about the basis of everything we publish.
Latest commentary
Insights & commentary
What consumers mean when they talk about value
Value is rarely a matter of price alone. Our latest survey suggests that clarity and fairness weigh as heavily as cost.
Cameron Batt
The high street and the independent trader
Independent businesses remain central to the character of Britain’s town centres. Their resilience deserves closer attention.
Cameron Batt
Technology adoption in smaller firms: a practical view
For smaller businesses, the question is rarely whether to adopt new technology, but how to do so without disrupting the customer relationship.
Cameron Batt
BCFI responds to consultation on consumer redress
The Forum welcomes the focus on accessible redress and sets out the principles it believes should guide any reform.
Cameron Batt
Media & press
Expert commentary and research for journalists
BCFI is available to support journalists and editors with expert commentary, interviews, research findings and considered reaction to current developments affecting British consumers and businesses.