Brexit fears push UK consumer confidence to 18-month low - The Independent (UK)

UK consumer confidence fell to an 18-month low in the fourth quarter of 2018, courtesy of Brexit worries and the slowdown in the economy, according to The Independent.

A poll of more than 3,000 consumers by YouGov for Deloitte showed confidence dropped to -9 percent in the third quarter from -7 percent in the previous quarter.

Key points

Spending on essentials and discretionary items increased but growth was more muted than expected in the lead up to Christmas.

Recent wage and employment data had delivered good news but consumers are more focused on Brexit worries at home and the clouds gathering over the global economy.

Consumers have entered 2019 in a cautious mood. As a result, we expect spending to continue to slow, especially in the big-ticket discretionary categories.