Consumer Confidence On the Rebound

Consumers’ confidence in their personal finances is returning to levels seen in Q1 2011, reports SymphonyIRI Group’s latest MarketPulse survey, released today. However, consumers remain cautious about their financial future and will continue to ramp up and/or maintain their conservative shopping behaviors this year.

Consumers’ confidence about their personal financial situations is rebounding in Q1 2012, after slipping in Q2 and Q3 of 2011 and inching up slightly at the end of last year. Today, 19% of consumers feel their financial position has improved during the past year, 40% feel it has remained unchanged and 41% feel it has deteriorated. While these are not glowing statistics, it is the most optimistic outlook seen since Q1 2011.

In addition, the recent survey uncovered that the nation’s 85 million moms have a sunnier outlook on the future compared to the general population. SymphonyIRI is taking a closer look at this important consumer segment, who have trillions of dollars in spending power, in a special Point of View: “Valuable Assets: Today’s Moms Represent Savvy, Smart Shoppers.”

“Americans have certainly been on an economic roller coaster ride for the past few years, so it is no surprise to anyone that they will not forgo their frugal ways even though they may feel a bit more confident about their bank accounts,” says Susan Viamari, editor, Times & Trends, SymphonyIRI. “They are opening their wallets a bit more these days, but they are still making lists and clipping coupons, so the key for CPG marketers is to demonstrate the value of their products to consumers.”