Consumer Sentiment news and trends

Fed’s Beige Book Finds Growth Flat, Uncertainty Rising
Economy // October 15, 2025

The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book paints a familiar picture of an economy searching for direction, one defined less by momentum than by hesitation. In the 56-page report released Wednesday (Oct. 15), the word “uncertainty” appears 40 times, while “optimism” surfaces only 13, a linguistic...

Inflation Clouds Consumer Sentiment, Nudging Households Toward Credit
Economy // October 10, 2025

Consumer sentiment paused its late-summer slide in October, but the story behind the headline hasn’t changed: households remain fixated on high prices and a softening job outlook, and they don’t expect quick improvement. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and...

Consumer Sentiment Plummets for Lower-Income Households
Consumer Insights // September 12, 2025

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has taken another sharp downturn, as September’s preliminary data from the University of Michigan signals mounting anxieties over tariffs, inflation and the labor market. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Most Consumers Worry About Finances as Inflation Expectations Worsen
Consumer Insights // September 08, 2025

Consumers are girding for higher inflation over the short term and long term, while sentiment is souring on job prospects for the next few months. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content...

Interviews & Exclusives
Most Consumers Worry About Finances as Inflation Expectations Worsen

September 08, 2025
Consumers are girding for higher inflation over the short term and long term, while sentiment is souring on job prospects for the next few months. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, […]

Tariffs Force Retailers to Fess Up About Why Things Cost More

June 19, 2025
The biggest retail trend of 2025 might not be the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) or social platforms like TikTok. It might be the impact of tariffs on consumer sentiment....

Fed Beige Book Data Highlights Pressure on Consumer Spending

March 05, 2025
The word “uncertainty” appears in the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book 34 times. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Will December’s Job Bounce Get Consumers to Keep Spending?

January 10, 2025
For the jobs market, this is the way the year ends — not with a whimper but a bang. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Quick Reads
Retailers Split on Holiday Outlook as Shoppers Pull Back

August 20, 2025
Major U.S. retailers’ forecasts reportedly have investors wondering whether the current slump in consumer spending could last through the holiday shopping season. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing […]

Consumers Feel Better About Finances Despite Inflation Woes

August 07, 2025
American consumers feel more optimistic about their finances, but wary of several other economic factors. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free...

Consumer Mood Stays Gloomy Despite July Uptick

August 01, 2025
The mood of consumers improved for a second consecutive month in July, though it remains worse than it was in December, according to the latest installment of the University of...

Consumer Sentiment Rose in July, Though Inflation Concerns Continue

July 18, 2025
Consumer sentiment inched up in July to reach its highest level in five months, though it remained below its December reading and its historical average, according to preliminary results from...