Consumer Spending Trends

Are looking UP:
Consumers Cautiously Ready to Spend Again Restraint will be the new mantra among consumers, according to the latest Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey. But that doesn't mean they won't start spending again in the near future.

Respondents to the poll conducted in April, across 50 countries making up 86 percent of the GDP, said they would continue to focus on fiscal responsibility. Yet, "they will allow themselves some of those little indulgences," said James Russo, vice president, Global Consumer Insights. "Perhaps pent up demand will play itself out and they'll take that vacation they put off, go back to casual dining and increase out of home entertainment activities such as movie going."

In April, 56 percent of consumers said they were spending less on new clothes. However, only 22 percent said they would continue to do so with an economic recovery predicted by year's end.

More than half (53 percent) also cut down on out-of-home entertainment. However, only 20 percent said they planned to maintain this behavior. And, while 45 percent of respondents shied away from take-away meals, only 24 percent plan on avoiding these more expensive meals moving forward.

Still, consumers clearly indicated that they would remain focused on savings past the recovery. "A whole new value system has emerged," said Russo. "One of casual restraint. There is a focus on fiscal responsibility and budgeting, but that doesn't mean there isn't a market for indulgences. I don't mean diamond jewelry, but moderation will be key and you may see consumers begin to trade up and move back to mainstream retailers."

One behavior that will not change as drastically is trying to save on gas and electricity. Slightly more than half of respondents (51 percent) said they did so in April. Forty percent of consumers said they would continue to keep an eye on such services. The same holds true with the telephone company, with 34 percent currently acting with restraint and 21 percent looking to do so moving forward.

Nielsen conducted a similar study in October and it proved telling. From October 2008 to April 2009, consumers across 15 behavioral segments followed through on plans to cut back on discretionary purchases while increasing levels of savings. For example, in April, most of the 40 percent of consumers who said they would delay upgrading technology followed through with their promise. More than a third (34 percent) said they'd use their car less -- 29 percent ended up doing so. And 33 percent said they'd cut down on vacations and delay replacement of major household items. In both instances, 34 percent of consumers actually did.

(Source: Nielsen Business Media, 06/08/09)

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