Consumers’ Unemployment Expectations Hit Highest Reading Since 2020—What You Should Know

The pandemic made 2020 a difficult year all around, especially for employment. Similar employment concerns are back in 2026. Consumers’ mean unemployment expectations, a measure of consumer sentiment toward unemployment a year from now,

America's changing returns habits are reshaping how consumers shop online

New research has found that almost two-thirds (63%) of US shoppers have either stopped shopping with a retailer or abandoned a purchase because of its return policy.
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Why Meeting Consumer Expectations Won't Cut It — and What Businesses Should Do Instead

Consumer behavior has undoubtedly shifted. Research shows that 70% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for ethically sourced products, and 66% expect brands to understand their needs and preferences. Nearly half of all consumers now buy products ...
The Baltimore Sun

Consumer expectations fall to 13-year low amid uncertainty over tariffs, inflation, jobs

Consumer confidence has deteriorated to levels not seen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Conference Board said Tuesday. The group’s April consumer confidence index fell 7.9 points to a reading of 86. That was the fifth straight month of ...
pymnts

Introducing the PYMNTS Consumer Expectations Index

Consumer sentiment is often reduced to a single headline number, a pulse check on how Americans feel about the economy at a given moment. But for retailers and other businesses navigating an uneven landscape, those feelings alone are not a comprehensive ...