Data sourced from European Commission; 30 November 2009
BRUSSELS: Consumer confidence levels in Europe remain inconsistent, as the economic downturn continues to exert an influence on popular perceptions across the region, new statistics show.

According to a regular index compiled by the European Commission, the public sentiment score in Germany stood at –19 points in November, down three points month-on-month, while France improved by the same amount, to –18 points.

In the UK, this total remained largely static, at –8 points, compared with the annual low of –35 points recorded in the country in January this year.

However, conditions continue to be more adverse in Spain, on –21 points, although this has moderated from the figure of more than –40 points observable earlier this year. 
  
More optimistically, the Commission added "positive signals" have started to emerge in the retail sector, where the overall assessment improved by six points in the European Union, to –6 points, and four points in the Eurozone, to –11 points.

By contrast, the financial services industry posted declines in both regions, a trend that "was mainly due to disappointing demand over the past three months and bleaker demand expectations for the next three months," the Commission said.


source: warc.com