SurveysApr 27, 2022
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending Expected to Reach $7BSurveysApr 28, 2022
Inflation Not Taking Huge Toll on Consumer Confidence, Yet
The Consumer Confidence Index dipped in April, but U.S. consumers remain “cautiously optimistic” overall, The Conference Board said.
Consumer confidence slipped in April but shoppers still seem intent on making big-ticket purchases, like cars and appliances, in the coming months, The Conference Board said this week.
New York—Consumer confidence remains relatively high despite inflation and the ongoing war in Ukraine, The Conference Board said.
The Conference Board released its monthly Consumer Confidence Index on Tuesday, which is designed to be a barometer of health of U.S. economy from the consumers’ viewpoint.
The Consumer Confidence Index fell in April, but only slightly. It now stands at 107.3, down from 107.6 in March. (The baseline for the index is 100, so anything above 100 is indicative of a more optimistic consumer and an expanding economy.)
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current assessment of business and labor market conditions, also fell—declining to 152.6 from 153.8 last month—but remains high.
This is an indication the U.S. economy continued to grow in Q2, Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, said in a press release on the results.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlook on income, business and labor market conditions, remains “weak,” Franco said, but rose to 77.2 in April despite high prices—especially for gas—and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Consumers’ intentions around spending money on vacations “cooled,” while plans to purchase big-ticket items, like automobiles and appliances, increased. However, interest in purchasing big-ticket items is not as strong as it was in January because of rising interest rates, Franco told National Jeweler in an interview.
There also is expected to be some softening in consumer spending because of inflation, particularly among less affluent consumers, who will see more of their budgets going toward necessities like gas and groceries.
“It’s sort of the tale of two consumers,” Franco said, “The less affluent are more likely to be impacted as opposed to the more affluent.”
Also expected to factor in is what Franco described as “the wildcard”—the geopolitical situation, which includes the war in Ukraine as well as resurgence of COVID-19 in China and any resulting supply chain disruptions.
Looking more closely at the Present Situation Index shows that consumers had a mixed view of April business conditions.
More consumers said business conditions were “good” (21 percent, up from 20 percent), but more also said conditions were “bad” (22 percent, up from 21 percent)—again, a “tale of two consumers.”
Their view of the labor market deteriorated, with fewer consumers describing jobs as “plentiful” (55 percent vs. 57 percent) and 11 percent of consumers saying jobs were hard to get, up from 10 percent in March.
The Expectations Index, which gauges consumers’ outlooks for the next six months, showed a similarly mixed view of business conditions and a more pessimistic view of the labor market but a more upbeat feeling about their financial prospects.
In April, 17 percent of consumers surveyed said they expect their incomes to increase in the next six months, up from 15 percent in March.
Fourteen percent said they expect their incomes to decrease, unchanged from March.
The Conference Board publishes The Consumer Confidence Index on the last Tuesday of every month.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
