FinancialsMar 18, 2021
Harsh Weather Weakens February Retail SalesSurveysApr 01, 2021
Consumer Confidence Surges to One-Year High in March
Shoppers are feeling the most optimistic about current conditions that they have since U.S. lockdowns first went into place.
Consumer confidence is the highest it has been in a year, according to The Conference Board’s latest survey.
New York—Consumer confidence in March was the highest it has been since the start of the pandemic shutdowns in the U.S.
Information and analytics company Nielsen conducts the Consumer Confidence Survey every month for The Conference Board; it gathered data for its most recent survey through March 19.
What it found in its latest survey is that consumers are feeling much better about current conditions.
The Consumer Confidence Index surged ahead in March to its highest reading in a year, up from 90.4 in February to 109.7.
Additionally, the Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, was also up, rising from 89.6 to 110.0.
The Expectations Index, measuring consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, also improved, from 90.9 in February to 109.6 in March.
“Consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their short-term outlook improved significantly, an indication that economic growth is likely to strengthen further in the coming months,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board.
“Consumers’ renewed optimism boosted their purchasing intentions for homes, autos, and several big-ticket items. However, concerns of inflation in the short-term rose, most likely due to rising prices at the pump, and may temper spending intentions in the months ahead.”
Shopper assessment of current conditions improved dramatically in March, with the percentage of those indicating they believed business conditions are “good” increasing from 16.1 percent to 18.5 percent, while those saying they thought business conditions are “bad” fell from 39.7 percent to 30.5 percent.
Related stories will be right here …
Information and analytics company Nielsen conducts the Consumer Confidence Survey every month for The Conference Board; it gathered data for its most recent survey through March 19.
What it found in its latest survey is that consumers are feeling much better about current conditions.
The Consumer Confidence Index surged ahead in March to its highest reading in a year, up from 90.4 in February to 109.7.
Additionally, the Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, was also up, rising from 89.6 to 110.0.
The Expectations Index, measuring consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, also improved, from 90.9 in February to 109.6 in March.
“Consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their short-term outlook improved significantly, an indication that economic growth is likely to strengthen further in the coming months,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board.
“Consumers’ renewed optimism boosted their purchasing intentions for homes, autos, and several big-ticket items. However, concerns of inflation in the short-term rose, most likely due to rising prices at the pump, and may temper spending intentions in the months ahead.”
Shopper assessment of current conditions improved dramatically in March, with the percentage of those indicating they believed business conditions are “good” increasing from 16.1 percent to 18.5 percent, while those saying they thought business conditions are “bad” fell from 39.7 percent to 30.5 percent.
Their assessment of the labor market was also more optimistic; the percentage of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” increased from 21.6 percent to 26.3 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” declined from 22.4 percent to 18.5 percent.
And when it came to optimism about the short-term outlook and the job market, attitudes were markedly better.
The percentage of consumers saying they expect business conditions will improve over the next six months rose from 30.7 percent to 40.8 percent, while the percentage expecting conditions to worsen fell from 17.7 percent to 11.0 percent.
Meanwhile, the percentage expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased from 27.4 percent to 36.1 percent, and those anticipating fewer jobs declined from 21.3 percent to 13.4 percent.
And when it came to income fluctuations in the short term, 15.5 percent of consumers expect theirs to increase in the next six months, a slight increase from 14.8 percent that said the same in February. But 13.3 percent expect their income to decrease, which is also up slightly from 12.9 percent last month.
More on Surveys
The Latest
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
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.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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 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.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
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.
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.
