Market analysis: Spectacle frames market update

The GfK Consumer Confidence Index, designed to track the economic confidence of GB consumers has remained at a neither positive nor negative score of zero over both February and March 2016 having fallen back from positive territory throughout 2015.

The current score represents the lowest level of consumer sentiment the index has recorded since December 2014. Looking at the detail, respondents report that they remain relatively optimistic about their personal and household financial situation but have lost confidence in, and score more negatively with regard to the wider economy.

Possible reasons for this could include increasing uncertainty of a Brexit with the upcoming EU membership referendum, threats of job losses in the steel industry making the headlines recently and potentially effecting many either directly or indirectly and continuing government austerity manifesting itself in cuts to such things as Disability Living Allowance, Corporation Tax and the government’s own forecasts for economic growth.