There has been much discussion about the so-called ‘hostile savings environment’. Interest rates remain at historic low levels and are not expected to rise until the latter part of 2015 and, even though economic growth has continued apace throughout 2014 and low inflation has allowed wage growth to edge incrementally ahead, the rate of growth remains slow and the squeeze on consumer finances continues to have an impact. Thus whilst the economy may be improving, the amount that consumers have to save has not necessarily grown.
In addition to these large-scale economic factors, consumer confidence is also having an impact on consumer savings patterns. Although consumers’ confidence in their financial situations dipped towards the end of 2014, it still remains high compared to the levels seen in the immediate aftermath of the recession. This inflated level of confidence has decreased consumers’ desire to save for precautionary purposes.
The need to increase savings, though, is highlighted by Mintel’s research, which shows that people are much less confident about their long-term financial wellbeing. Many worry about the amount of money that have set aside, how well they would be able to survive any financial shock, and how well prepared they are for retirement. Currently, though, they are sidelining these concerns, and instead focussing on immediate consumption.
This report provides a consumer-focused analysis of these and other inter-related factors affecting the retail saving and investing market. The initial sections of the report focus on the general economy and provide context for Mintel’s exclusively commissioned consumer research which informs the bulk of the report. The research provides analysis on consumers’ investable assets and portfolio composition as well as additional analysis on the attitudes of consumers with regards to saving and investing, and their reasons for engaging in these activities.
Abbreviations
| AWE | Average weekly earnings |
| BBA | British Banking Association |
| CPI | Consumer price index |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| HMRC | HM Revenue & Customs |
| ISA | Individual Savings Account |
| OEIC | Open-ended Investment Company |
| ONS | Office for National Statistics |
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