GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index for the U.K. has fallen by one point so far in December, remaining negative at -15, in the midst of the spreading Omicron variant, which has led to more than 100,000 new daily cases of Covid contamination. The index had improved by three points to -14 in November, after three months of continuous declines, as consumers engaged in brisk pre-Christmas and Black Friday shopping to avoid year-end product shortages. Sales of clothing were up by 2.9 percent as compared to October.
Besides Covid, which has led France and other countries to restrict the inflow of visitors from the U.K., the rising cost of living was cited as another cause of concern. Due in part to soaring oil and gas prices, Brexit and supply chain disruptions, the inflation rate has risen to a ten-year high of almost 6 percent in the U.K.
The government of Boris Johnson has been under attack from his own Conservative Party for his poor management of the health crisis. After imposing the use of masks in stores and other closed spaces, the National Health Service (NHS) is now requiring a Covid Pass or a negative test in England for adults to enter nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people, including stadia.
Meanwhile, the English Football League (EFL) has implemented a strict regime of training ground protocols, increased testing and other measures following revelations that 41 percent of the league’s players are not yet fully vaccinated and that 25 percent don’t want to be vaccinated. The Premier League has already announced enhanced safety measures, leading to the postponement of four matches during the Dec. 18-19 weekend.
