LONDON, Aug 28 - Consumer confidence in Britain fell unexpectedly in August after rising for the previous four months, a report showed on Thursday. Research company Martin Hamblin GfK said its consumer confidence barometer fell to -3 in August from -1 in July. Analysts polled by had expected a rise to zero. However, it was still well above the eight-year low of -10 seen during the Iraq war.
The survey contrasted with U.S. Conference Board data earlier this week showing U.S. consumers grew more optimistic in August. The detail of the release showed all the major components declined, with the key index of perceptions of how the general economy will develop in the next 12 months falling to -15 from -13 in July. Consumers also grew less confident about their personal finances over the coming year with the index falling to +9 from +12.//