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Consumer confidence falls again
Consumer confidence fell for the fifth successive month in July, according to the latest barometer from GfK NOP published today. The overall consumer confidence index dropped three points to -22 with falls in consumers’ expectations for their personal finances over the next year, the current general economic situation and the economy over the next 12 months. But the major purchase index rose by eight points, perhaps because of the looming VAT hike, said Nick Moon, director of GfK NOP Social Research.