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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
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.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
