SurveysJun 25, 2024
Jewelry a Top Performer in ‘Stalled’ Luxury Market, Says Bain & Co.SurveysJun 26, 2024
Consumer Confidence Slips in June Amid Rising Prices
The costs of food and groceries remained a top concern, followed by the labor market and U.S. politics.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 100.4 in June from 101.3 in May.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence fell in June as concerns about rising prices remain.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 100.4 in June from a downwardly revised 101.3 in May.
Similar to last month, June’s write-in responses showed high prices, especially for food and groceries, continued to impact consumers’ views of the economy, followed by the labor market and U.S. politics.
“Consumers expressed mixed feelings this month: their view of the present situation improved slightly overall, driven by an uptick in sentiment about the current labor market, but their assessment of current business conditions cooled,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
“Meanwhile, for the second month in a row, consumers were a bit less pessimistic about future labor market conditions. However, their expectations for both future income and business conditions weakened, weighing down the overall Expectations Index."
As for election season, the share of respondents who said the 2024 election would impact the economy was low in comparison to write-ins in June 2016 and slightly higher than in 2020.
“Confidence pulled back in June but remained within the same narrow range that’s held throughout the past two years, as strength in current labor market views continued to outweigh concerns about the future,” said Peterson.
“However, if material weaknesses in the labor market appear, confidence could weaken as the year progresses.”
The decline in confidence from May to June was attributed mainly to consumers aged 35 to 54.
Those under 35 and those 55 and older saw an improvement, though there was no clear pattern according to income groups, said Peterson.
On a six-month moving average basis, confidence continued to be highest among the youngest and wealthiest consumers, it found, including those under 35 and those making more than $100,000.
The average 12-month inflation expectations declined slightly to 5.3 percent from 5.4 percent in May.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, rose to 141.5 in June from 140.8 in May.
Consumers’ view of current business conditions was less optimistic in June, with the percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” down to 20 percent from 21 percent in May, while those who said conditions are “bad” was flat at 18 percent.
Consumers’ view of the labor market improved in June, with those who said jobs were “plentiful” up to 38 percent from 37 percent in May, while those who said jobs were “hard to get” was flat at 14 percent.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 100.4 in June from a downwardly revised 101.3 in May.
Similar to last month, June’s write-in responses showed high prices, especially for food and groceries, continued to impact consumers’ views of the economy, followed by the labor market and U.S. politics.
“Consumers expressed mixed feelings this month: their view of the present situation improved slightly overall, driven by an uptick in sentiment about the current labor market, but their assessment of current business conditions cooled,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
“Meanwhile, for the second month in a row, consumers were a bit less pessimistic about future labor market conditions. However, their expectations for both future income and business conditions weakened, weighing down the overall Expectations Index."
As for election season, the share of respondents who said the 2024 election would impact the economy was low in comparison to write-ins in June 2016 and slightly higher than in 2020.
“Confidence pulled back in June but remained within the same narrow range that’s held throughout the past two years, as strength in current labor market views continued to outweigh concerns about the future,” said Peterson.
“However, if material weaknesses in the labor market appear, confidence could weaken as the year progresses.”
The decline in confidence from May to June was attributed mainly to consumers aged 35 to 54.
Those under 35 and those 55 and older saw an improvement, though there was no clear pattern according to income groups, said Peterson.
On a six-month moving average basis, confidence continued to be highest among the youngest and wealthiest consumers, it found, including those under 35 and those making more than $100,000.
The average 12-month inflation expectations declined slightly to 5.3 percent from 5.4 percent in May.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, rose to 141.5 in June from 140.8 in May.
Consumers’ view of current business conditions was less optimistic in June, with the percentage of respondents who said current business conditions are “good” down to 20 percent from 21 percent in May, while those who said conditions are “bad” was flat at 18 percent.
Consumers’ view of the labor market improved in June, with those who said jobs were “plentiful” up to 38 percent from 37 percent in May, while those who said jobs were “hard to get” was flat at 14 percent.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 73 from 74.9 in May.
Notably, an Expectations Index reading below 80 often signals a recession ahead, said the Conference Board. It has been below 80 for five consecutive months.
Consumers’ view of the short-term business conditions outlook was more pessimistic in June.
The percentage of respondents who expect business conditions to improve was down to 13 percent from 14 percent, while those who expect conditions to worsen was unchanged at 17 percent.
Consumers’ assessment of the short-term labor market outlook in June was slightly more positive.
The percentage of respondents who expect more jobs to be available was flat at 13 percent, while the number of respondents who expect fewer jobs to be available was down to 17 percent from 19 percent.
Consumers’ assessment of their short-term income prospects was more negative.
The number of respondents who expect their incomes to increase was down to 15 percent from 18 percent in May, while those who expect their incomes to decrease was flat at 12 percent.
Consumers were also less optimistic about their family’s current financial situation, a measure not included when calculating the Present Situation and Expectations Index.
Their view of their family’s future financial situation was unchanged.
The “Consumers’ Perceived Likelihood of a U.S. Recession Over the Next 12 Months” declined in June after rising in April and May.
Consumers were optimistic about the stock market, however, with 48 percent expecting stock prices to increase over the year ahead, 24 percent expecting a decrease, and 28 percent expecting no change.
The number of consumers expecting higher interest rates over the next twelve months dropped to 53 percent, its lowest level since February.
Purchasing plans for homes were unchanged in June and remained historically low, said the Conference Board. Plans to buy cars were also at a standstill.
Buying plans for most big-ticket appliances and smartphones were up slightly, while fewer planned to buy a laptop or PC.
The number of respondents planning a vacation over the next six months continued to increase, staying above June 2023 levels.
Notably, more people plan to travel by car than by plane.
The number of consumers planning to go on vacation is about 10 percentage points lower than it was pre-pandemic.
More on Surveys
The Latest
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
