SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysSurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September
Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell by about four points to 94.2 in September.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence fell again in September, dropping to its lowest level since April.
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell to 94.2 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in August.
Notably, consumer sentiment about the present situation registered its largest drop in a year, according to Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators, at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 125.4 from an upwardly revised 132.4 in August.
“Consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, while their appraisal of current job availability fell for the ninth straight month to reach a new multiyear low. This is consistent with the decline in job openings,” she said.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 73.4 from a downwardly revised 74.7 in August.
It marks the eighth consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession ahead, according to The Conference Board.
“Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions but optimism about future income increased, mitigating the overall decline in the Expectations Index,” said Guichard.
Confidence rose for consumers under 35 years old but declined for consumers over the age of 35.
By income group, confidence was mixed, said The Conference board, with no clear pattern.
Confidence stayed above its April low for all income groups, except for households making between $25,000 to $35,000 and those making more than $200,000.
By political party, confidence improved slightly for Democrats and Republicans, but “dropped substantially” for Independents.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence index fell to 94.2 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in August.
Notably, consumer sentiment about the present situation registered its largest drop in a year, according to Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators, at The Conference Board.
The Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 125.4 from an upwardly revised 132.4 in August.
“Consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, while their appraisal of current job availability fell for the ninth straight month to reach a new multiyear low. This is consistent with the decline in job openings,” she said.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, fell to 73.4 from a downwardly revised 74.7 in August.
It marks the eighth consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession ahead, according to The Conference Board.
“Consumers were a bit more pessimistic about future job availability and future business conditions but optimism about future income increased, mitigating the overall decline in the Expectations Index,” said Guichard.
Confidence rose for consumers under 35 years old but declined for consumers over the age of 35.
By income group, confidence was mixed, said The Conference board, with no clear pattern.
Confidence stayed above its April low for all income groups, except for households making between $25,000 to $35,000 and those making more than $200,000.
By political party, confidence improved slightly for Democrats and Republicans, but “dropped substantially” for Independents.
Looking at the write-in responses, references to prices and inflation rose in September, “regaining its top position as the main topic influencing consumers’ views of the economy,” said Guichard.
References to tariffs declined but were still high and tied to concerns about higher prices.
Consumers’ average 12-month inflation expectations declined slightly to 5.8 percent from 6.1 percent in August.
“This is still notably above 5 percent, the level at the end of 2024,” added Guichard.
Write-in mentions of jobs and employment rose to a level not seen since August 2024, with the comments skewing negative, particularly regarding the current situation.
Consumers’ view of stock prices improved slightly in September, with fewer respondents expecting to see stock prices decrease over the next 12 months.
The share of respondents expecting to see stock prices rise has been flat since July.
Fewer consumers expected to see interest rates rise, while more expected them to decline.
Consumers’ views of their family’s current and future financial situation weakened in September.
Their view of the current situation for this metric recorded the largest one-month drop since The Conference Board began collecting this data in July 2022.
The share of consumers who said that a recession is “very likely” over the next 12 months rose slightly in September to the highest level since May.
Notably, more respondents thought the economy was already in recession.
Plans to purchase cars, both new and used, declined in September. However, plans to buy homes hit a four-month high.
Purchasing plans for big-ticket items recorded little change, but there was variation across appliances.
Plans to buy TVs and dryers saw the largest increase in September, while refrigerators posted the largest decline.
Plans to buy electronics were mostly up, with smartphones leading the way. Notably, Apple debuted its new iPhone 17 on Sept. 9.
Notably, intentions to buy services were down, with declines seen across most categories but especially travel-related services.
Vacation planning fell to its lowest level since April, with fewer plans to travel abroad driving the decline.
More on Surveys
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
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.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
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.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
