Inflation fears are lingering as retailers approach the holiday season, with 79% of consumers saying their finances are a concern and 62% expecting their living costs to increase even further in the next six months, according to EY‘s Future Consumer Index. EY Global Consumer Leader Kristina Rogers believes that shoppers remain positive about the future despite low sentiment levels, but the end of pent-up demand from COVID-19 means “they may be less willing to accept further prices rises, especially as interest rates rise pushing up their debt burden.
