October 2013
Featured in this insight: Consumer goods & FMCG , Retail, Conducting market research in Wales
Survey finds retail customer confidence grows little in Wales: Consumer confidence remained static for more than half (56%) of people according to a Beaufort Research poll of more than 1,000 respondents across Wales.
Statistics show that just over one-in-nine (12%) adults said they felt more confident about spending more on non-essential items than they did six months ago. However, more than twice as many (30%) said the opposite – that they were less confident now about splashing out on non-essential items.
Among respondents, confidence about buying non-essential items was lowest in the south Wales valleys (9%), although this does not represent a considerable difference when compared to the average for Wales (12%).
David Hughes-Lewis, of Cardiff Retail Partnership and Jonathan David Jewellers, said:
“The weather has been so much better than we had last summer. Clothes stores have enjoyed a good summer. When the sun shines, the tables and chairs in the city centre are full. Everyone is still finding it tough but there is definitely an air of confidence as far as consumers are concerned."
Chris Mackenzie-grieve, chair of Aberystwyth Chamber of Commerce, which represents about seventy shops and businesses, said Aberystwyth was proving "quite resilient" economically.
He said the town benefited from being a "micro climate" with a large student population and Welsh and local government offices in the area.
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