SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysSurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in July
Survey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index slipped in July as worries persisted about rising prices.
New York—U.S. consumer confidence slipped in July amid concerns about the rising price of groceries and the labor market.
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index decreased to 90.8 in July from an upwardly revised 92.2 in June.
“Consumer confidence moderated slightly in July, continuing a general downward sloping trajectory since late 2021,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
The survey period ran from July 1–22, which included the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 114.9 in July from an upwardly revised 118.5 in June.
It marked the third consecutive month in which views on the present situation skewed more pessimistic, with views of the current business and labor conditions both softening in July.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, was flat at 74.7.
It marked the 18th consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession is ahead, according to The Conference Board.
Consumers’ expectations for business conditions and household income softened, while views on the future labor market improved somewhat, though it remained negative.
By demographic, confidence for consumers under the age of 35 was once again the highest, while those aged 35-54 saw the greatest improvement.
By income, confidence on a six-month moving average basis was mixed with higher-income groups generally being more optimistic.
By generation, confidence for Gen Z and Millennials remained the highest, while confidence fell for the Silent Generation.
By political affiliation, confidence among Democrats and Independents was lower while Republicans were slightly more positive.
Related stories will be right here …
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index decreased to 90.8 in July from an upwardly revised 92.2 in June.
“Consumer confidence moderated slightly in July, continuing a general downward sloping trajectory since late 2021,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.
The survey period ran from July 1–22, which included the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index, which measures consumers’ current view of business and labor market conditions, fell to 114.9 in July from an upwardly revised 118.5 in June.
It marked the third consecutive month in which views on the present situation skewed more pessimistic, with views of the current business and labor conditions both softening in July.
The Expectations Index, which measures consumers’ outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions in the near future, was flat at 74.7.
It marked the 18th consecutive month that expectations remained below the threshold of 80, a level which typically signals a recession is ahead, according to The Conference Board.
Consumers’ expectations for business conditions and household income softened, while views on the future labor market improved somewhat, though it remained negative.
By demographic, confidence for consumers under the age of 35 was once again the highest, while those aged 35-54 saw the greatest improvement.
By income, confidence on a six-month moving average basis was mixed with higher-income groups generally being more optimistic.
By generation, confidence for Gen Z and Millennials remained the highest, while confidence fell for the Silent Generation.
By political affiliation, confidence among Democrats and Independents was lower while Republicans were slightly more positive.
Consumers’ write-in responses about the economy continued to be mostly pessimistic, with elevated references to prices along with oil and gas.
More respondents commented on the rising prices of food and groceries, as well as jobs and unemployment.
Mentions of war, geopolitics, and conflict eased, though The Conference Board noted there could be an increase in the revised data for July as the conflict in the Middle East accelerates.
Consumers’ average and median 12-month inflation expectations eased compared with June.
Most consumers (61 percent) expect to see higher interest rates over the next 12 months. Respondents also expect higher stock prices a year from now.
Consumers’ views of their family’s current financial situation improved following three consecutive months of decline, though future views on the metric were less optimistic.
Overall, expectations for a recession in the next 12 months remain low, as more respondents said it is “somewhat likely” while fewer said it was “very likely.”
These measures are not included when calculating the Consumer Confidence Index.
As for what consumers plan to buy over the next six months, furniture and smart phones are the most popular items in the durable goods category. Plans to buy TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines also rose.
Plans to purchase a home or a car continued to trend upward.
As for spending on services, consumers plan to spend more on this category over the next six months.
The top three categories in the segment are restaurants, bars, and takeout, followed by streaming, internet, and mobile services, and then beauty and personal care.
Consumers also plan to spend more on activities, like movies, hotels for personal travel, airfare, amusement parks, and museums and historical sites.
Plans to spend on travel picked up in July after a soft year, with domestic travel plans recovering while foreign travel plans softened.
The Consumer Confidence survey results for August are scheduled to be released on August 25.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
