Consumers more buoyant 'than at any time since early noughties'

Post-election poll of consumer sentiment, showing dramatic uptick in confidence, provides encouraging news for retailers

Consumers are feeling more buoyant than they have since the early 2000s, according to a measure of confidence that jumped by six points in June.

The post-election poll of consumer sentiment will be widely interpreted as heralding a strong summer for high street shops, online sales and the leisure industry, which has missed out on much of the economy's recovery while households remained nervous about spending.