Consumer confidence continues to rise

According to the latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands, Dutch consumer confidence in September 2006 improved relative to August. Opinions held by Dutch consumers on the economic climate as well as their willingness to buy improved. Consumer confidence has risen almost permanently over the past year.

Consumer more positive about economic climate

Dutch consumers were more positive about the economic climate in September than they were in August. Consumers’ opinions on the economic situation over the past twelve months improved notably and they were also slightly more positive about the twelve months to come.

Willingness to buy improved

Willingness to buy also improved in September. It is based on the question, whether it is a favourable time to buy expensive articles and on consumers’ opinions on the financial situation of their own household. Consumers were more optimistic about their own financial situation compared to one month previously. Their opinions on their own financial situation over the past twelve months improved significantly. They also thought September was a slightly better month to buy expensive items than August.

Continued upward trend consumer confidence

Consumer confidence has risen almost permanently over the past year. For the fourth month running, optimists outnumber pessimists. The increase is mainly due to evaluation of the economic climate. Willingness to buy also improved over the past year, but the improvement was more modest.

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