The Nationwide Building Society Survey just released, covering the month of June, shows a drop in consumer confidence of 4 points, 11 points lower than a year ago, driven by increased inflation and poor job prospects.

There is no sign that consumers feel the situation is going to improve in the near future and with household energy prices going up close to 20% since the June data was gathered, no doubt the next survey will not be reporting a change in the negative sentiment.

The long wait for the UK consumer to drive forward the economic recovery is still on hold and the large chains operating in the country's high streets, still look vulnerable.