Many shoppers 'left with nothing'

11/08/11

By Shane Gladstone

Research has revealed that more than 30 per cent of British shoppers are left with no money after paying their monthly bills.

The Consumer Confidence Survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and information and measurement firm Nielsen found that 32 per cent had no cash left after paying bills.

The figure is an all-time high and comes as consumers fret over rising utility bills, the economy and the increasing cost of petrol.

In response to the increased cost of living, some 71 per cent of people have changed the way they shop, with 65 per cent saying they had dropped a brand to save cash.

However, the London 2012 Olympics is expected to trigger a wave of consumer confidence when they get under way.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "Even after paying out for essentials, households that do have spare cash are choosing to pay off debts and build up savings rather than spend on the high street."