The decline is because consumers’ willingness to buy has deteriorated.

The headline figure of minus 22 is well below its long-term average of minus 10 for the last 20 years.

The indicator reached an all-time high of 36 in January 2000, while an all-time low of minus 59 was reached in September and October 2022.

Consumers are equally pessimistic about the economy in October as they were in September. This component of the indicator remained at minus 37. Consumers’ assessment of the economic situation over the previous 12 months has deteriorated slightly, but their assessment of the economic outlook for the next 12 months has improved slightly.

Willingness to buy among Dutch consumers stands at minus 12 in October, down from minus 11 in September.

Consumers’ opinions on their personal financial situation over the previous 12 months were more negative and their assessment of the next 12 months was also less positive. However, consumers were less negative about making large purchases in October than they were in September.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)