Consumer Confidence Made Simple

The "cautious pause" among shoppers is entering its third year and appears to be an ingrained habit. With 60% of shoppers being careful about their spending (pausing to ask "Is this a good use of my money?"), retail growth will struggle in the low digits.

Women in particular have become tighter with their spending. This presents retailers with the challenge to be merchandisers, to romance the merchandise, WOW the shopper, and entice them to throw caution to the wind. Stacking 'em high doesn't mean they will fly - shoppers are not that desperate to buy.

Offsetting the caution of women are 21st century men. They shop more than men of a generation ago and their confidence in their financial situation is a call for manufacturers and retailers to pay attention to growth opportunities in male-based products.

    The PULSE