SurveysSep 15, 2022
Deloitte Predicts Muted Growth this Holiday SeasonSurveysSep 28, 2022
Consumer Confidence Rises in September
U.S. consumer confidence rose for the second consecutive month as gas prices fell.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 108 in September from 103.6 in August, marking the second consecutive month of gains.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence rose in September for the second consecutive month as gas prices continue to fall.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 108 in September from 103.6 in August.
“Consumer confidence improved in September for the second consecutive month, supported in particular by jobs, wages, and declining gas prices,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on current business and labor market conditions, rose to 149.6 in September from 145.3 last month. It had declined from April through July.
Respondents had a more positive view of current business conditions in September.
The percentage of consumers who said current business conditions are “good” was up to 21 percent from 19 percent last month, while those who said conditions were “bad” decreased, down to 21 percent, compared with 23 percent in August.
Consumers also had a more positive view of the labor market, with 49 percent of respondents saying jobs are “plentiful,” up from 48 percent last month.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were “hard to get” was down slightly to 11.4 percent from 11.6 percent in August.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 108 in September from 103.6 in August.
“Consumer confidence improved in September for the second consecutive month, supported in particular by jobs, wages, and declining gas prices,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on current business and labor market conditions, rose to 149.6 in September from 145.3 last month. It had declined from April through July.
Respondents had a more positive view of current business conditions in September.
The percentage of consumers who said current business conditions are “good” was up to 21 percent from 19 percent last month, while those who said conditions were “bad” decreased, down to 21 percent, compared with 23 percent in August.
Consumers also had a more positive view of the labor market, with 49 percent of respondents saying jobs are “plentiful,” up from 48 percent last month.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were “hard to get” was down slightly to 11.4 percent from 11.6 percent in August.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, rose to 80.3 from 75.8.
“The Expectations Index also improved from summer lows, but recession risks nonetheless persist,” said Franco. “Concerns about inflation dissipated further in September—prompted largely by declining prices at the gas pump—and are now at their lowest level since the start of the year.”
Respondents took an optimistic view of the short-term business outlook, with 19 percent expecting business conditions to improve, up from 17 percent in August.
Fewer expected conditions to worsen, down to 21 percent from 22 percent last month.
Consumers’ view of the short-term labor market was also positive, with more respondents expecting more jobs to be available, up to 18 percent from 17 percent.
Fewer respondents also expect there to be fewer jobs, down to 18 percent from 20 percent.
Consumers were also more optimistic about short-term financial prospects, with 18 percent expecting incomes to increase, up from 17 percent last month.
However, slightly more respondents expect their incomes to decrease, up to 14.3 percent from 13.9 percent in August.
Purchasing intentions were mixed, said Franco, with plans to buy cars and appliances on the rise while home purchase plans fell, which she attributed to rising mortgage rates and a “cooling” housing market.
“Looking ahead, the improvement in confidence may bode well for consumer spending in the final months of 2022, but inflation and interest-rate hikes remain strong headwinds to growth in the short term,” concluded Franco.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
