Consumer Confidence Slips in February Amid Inflation
Fewer consumers expect to make big purchases, like homes or vacations, over the next six months.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 110.5 in February from 111.1 in January, marking the second consecutive month of decline.
The consumer price index, which measures the average change in prices over time consumers will pay for a basket of goods and services, rose 0.6 percent month-over-month in January and 7.5 percent year-over-year, the largest 12-month increase since February 1982.
Despite rising costs due to inflation and low consumer sentiment, consumers have continued to spend, with retail sales in January surpassing analyst expectations.
“Concerns about inflation rose again in February, after posting back-to-back declines. Despite this reversal, consumers remain relatively confident about short-term growth prospects. While they do not expect the economy to pick up steam in the near future, they also do not foresee conditions worsening,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, in a press release announcing the results.
“Nevertheless, confidence and consumer spending will continue to face headwinds from rising prices in the coming months.”
Consumers were slightly more optimistic about their current financial prospects compared with last month.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on current business and labor market conditions, rose to 145.1 from 144.5 last month.
Consumers’ views of current business conditions were mixed in February.
The percentage of consumers who said current business conditions are “good” decreased to 19 percent month-over-month from 20 percent, but those who said conditions were “bad” also decreased, down to 25 percent, compared with 27 percent in January.
Consumers also had mixed feelings about the labor market, with 54 percent of respondents saying jobs are “plentiful,” which is down from 55 percent last month but “still a historically strong reading,” said the Conference Board.
However, 11.8 percent said jobs are “hard to get,” slightly down from 12 percent in January.
Consumers were slightly less optimistic about the short-term business conditions.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, fell to 87.5 from 88.8 last month.
The percentage of consumers expecting short-term business conditions to improve fell from 23.6 percent to 23.4 percent, but fewer consumers expect business conditions to worsen—18 percent compared with nearly 20 percent last month.
Consumers were also less optimistic about the short-term labor market outlook, with 21 percent expecting more jobs to be available in the coming months, down from 22 percent last month.
More consumers expect fewer jobs to be available, up to 18 percent from 17 percent last month.
Looking at short-term financial prospects, consumers were less positive, with 15.7 percent of consumers expecting their incomes to increase, down from 16.2 percent last month.
The percentage of consumers expecting incomes to decrease was unchanged month-over-month at 12 percent.
“The Present Situation Index improved a touch, suggesting the economy continued to expand in Q1 but did not gain momentum. Expectations about short-term growth prospects weakened further, pointing to a likely moderation in growth over the first half of 2022,” Franco said.
The percentage of consumers planning to make big purchases, like homes, automobiles, major appliances, and vacations, over the next six months all fell, she said.
The Latest

The fast-casual chain partnered with Anna Sheffield’s Bing Bang NYC brand on a capsule collection and it’s a little “extra.”

The diamond and tanzanite bracelet was inspired by the waves of the Italian gulf near Genoa.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

The home improvement store’s website features an “Empowerment Tools” demi-fine jewelry collection.


The show will feature a new pavilion of 30 jewelry designers and manufacturers from Surat, India.

A government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.

De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.

Amanda Gizzi welcomes February with a selection of amethyst jewelry, a birthstone that “deserves its own time to shine.”

Behind the playful and nostalgic brand lies deeper meaning.

The Time Century Jewelry Center is located in downtown Miami’s jewelry district.

The IJO also welcomed one new vendor member to its 13-member board, Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs.

It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.

The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.

The jeweler’s expansion plans include 20 to 30 more stores in North America and the Middle East over the next two to three years.

The Italian luxury brand will receive the first Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence.

Industry veteran Kevin Lane has stepped into the role.

The ancient Egyptian teenager was buried 2,300 years ago with 49 amulets to guide him through the afterlife.

Nominations are open now through March 24.

A column detailing how independent jewelers did last year and the top watch brands of 2022 were among the most-read stories last week.

Acquired in 2021, the brand’s high jewelry sales have doubled and its new “Lock” collection was an instant hit.

Executives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.

The Victorian-inspired design is a functional lock and key.

For over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.

The trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.

The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.

It will be located in San Antonio’s Alamo Quarry Market and will be Lee Michaels’ third location in the city.