UK consumer spending to slow this year, new research shows

The squeeze on consumers is hitting retailers hard

Spending growth has dropped from 2.9 per cent in 2016 (Getty)

UK households will tighten their belts even more this year as the impact of faster inflation and weak wage growth deepens.

Consumer spending will grow 1.3 per cent this year, slipping further from a six-year low of 1.4 per cent in 2017, EY Item Club said in a report on Monday. While price gains will slow over the next few years, pay increases are also set to remain modest.

The economy is struggling to overcome the effects of the decision to leave the European Union, which triggered currency-driven inflation and created uncertainty that has weighed on investment and wage growth.

Spending growth has dropped from 2.9 per cent in 2016 and the squeeze on consumers is hitting retailers hard, with Toys “R” Us and electronics chain Maplin collapsing last week.

“While the impact of higher inflation should slowly fade, the UK consumer will be hit by new issues which will impact their spending power,” said Mark Gregory, EY’s chief economist.

“Our prediction of a ‘so-so’ consumer sector over the next few years points to a ‘so-so’ economy, growing at an unspectacular rate compared with past standards.”

EY Item Club expects the Bank of England to increase interest rates twice this year to keep a lid on prices. Higher borrowing costs will further damp household spending, which accounts for about 65 per cent of gross domestic product.

Bloomberg