SurveysJan 30, 2023
Consumers Embracing Non-Traditional Ways to Mark Valentine’s Day SurveysFeb 01, 2023
Consumer Confidence Falls in January
Wariness about the year ahead offset a more positive view of the current economic situation.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 107.1 in January from 109 in December.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence declined in January as worsening expectations for the year ahead offset an optimistic view of the current economic situation.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 107.1 in January from 109 in December, an upward revision from the previously stated 108.3. The Present Situation and Expectation indices also were revised upward for the month.
“Consumer confidence declined in January, but it remains above the level seen last July, lowest in 2022,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director of economics at The Conference Board.
Consumer confidence declined the most for households earning less than $15,000 and for households under age 35, he noted.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on current business and labor market conditions, rose to 150.9 in January from 147.4 in December.
The percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” was up to 20 percent from 19 percent in December, while those who said conditions were “bad” decreased, down to 19 percent, compared with 20 percent in December.
Consumers also had a more positive view of the labor market, with 48 percent of respondents saying jobs are “plentiful,” up from 46 percent in the prior period.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were “hard to get” was down to 11 percent from 12 percent in December.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 107.1 in January from 109 in December, an upward revision from the previously stated 108.3. The Present Situation and Expectation indices also were revised upward for the month.
“Consumer confidence declined in January, but it remains above the level seen last July, lowest in 2022,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director of economics at The Conference Board.
Consumer confidence declined the most for households earning less than $15,000 and for households under age 35, he noted.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on current business and labor market conditions, rose to 150.9 in January from 147.4 in December.
The percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” was up to 20 percent from 19 percent in December, while those who said conditions were “bad” decreased, down to 19 percent, compared with 20 percent in December.
Consumers also had a more positive view of the labor market, with 48 percent of respondents saying jobs are “plentiful,” up from 46 percent in the prior period.
The percentage of respondents who felt jobs were “hard to get” was down to 11 percent from 12 percent in December.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, fell to 77.8 from 83.4.
The index is below 80, which often points to a recession within the next year, said the Conference Board.
Consumers became more pessimistic about the short-term business conditions outlook in January.
Respondents’ view of the short-term business outlook soured, with 19 percent expecting business conditions to improve, down from 21 percent in December.
More consumers expected conditions to worsen, up to 22 percent from 20 percent in the previous period.
Consumers’ view of the short-term labor market was more pessimistic too, with fewer respondents expecting more jobs to be available, down to 18 percent from 20 percent.
Consumers were also slightly more pessimistic about their short-term financial prospects, with 17.2 percent expecting incomes to increase, down from 17.3 percent in December.
More respondents expect their incomes to decrease, up to 13.4 percent from 13.3 percent in December.
“Consumers’ assessment of present economic and labor market conditions improved at the start of 2023. However, the Expectations Index retreated in January reflecting their concerns about the economy over the next six months,” said Ozyildirim.
Though respondents were more pessimistic about the short-term job outlook and are expecting near-term business conditions to worsen, they see their income remaining “relatively stable” in the months ahead, he added.
While purchasing plans for cars and appliances were steady, fewer consumers plan to buy a home, either new or existing.
Consumer expectations for inflation rose to 6.8 percent from 6.6 percent over the next 12 months but are still down from the peak of nearly 8 percent in June 2022.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
