Content about Recessions

February 15, 2013
Nielsen global survey finds views of economy improving, but gloom remains

Bad feelings about the global economy persist, with more than half of consumers around the world say the world is in an economic recession, according to a new study by Nielsen.

New York -- Bad feelings about the global economy persist, with more than half of consumers around the world say the world is in an economic recession, according to a new study by Nielsen.

According to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions, 71% of North Americans said they were in a recession in the fourth-quarter of 2012, but this represented a drop in 15 percentage points from the fourth quarter 2011, representing the largest drop in negative sentiments about the economy of any area.

February 10, 2012
Customer Growth Partners predicts robust spending in 2012

Retail sales will increase by 5.7% in 2012, according to a new report by Customer Growth Partners, a consulting and research firm serving retailers, vendors and institutional investors.

New Canaan, Conn. -- Retail sales will increase by 5.7% in 2012, according to a new report by Customer Growth Partners,  a consulting and research firm serving retailers, vendors and institutional investors.

The report, “The Great Consumer Reset/The Great Retail Reset,” finds that falling household and credit-debt levels, along with higher savings rates, are fueling consumer spending. 

December 8, 2011
U.S. consumer confidence holds at recession levels

A report released Thursday said that consumer confidence in the U.S. was little changed for a second week, holding at a level typically reached during past recessions.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday said that consumer confidence in the U.S. was little changed for a second week, holding at a level typically reached during past recessions.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was at minus 50.3 in the period ended Dec. 4, after a reading of minus 50.2 the prior week. The gauge has been at minus 50 or worse for 11 of the past 12 weeks.

October 11, 2011
Conference Board Employment Index declines in September

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index, released Tuesday, showed a decrease in September to 100.95, down from the revised figure of 101.37 in August.

New York City -- The Conference Board Employment Trends Index, released Tuesday, showed a decrease in September to 100.95, down from the revised figure of 101.37 in August. The September figure is up 4.4% from the same month a year ago.

October 6, 2011
Report: Consumer confidence weak

A report by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence last week capped the worst quarterly performance in more than two years, when the U.S. economy was still in a recession.

Washington, D.C. -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence last week capped the worst quarterly performance in more than two years, when the U.S. economy was still in a recession.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index rose to minus 50.2 in the week ended Oct. 2, from the prior period’s minus 53 that was the second-lowest level on record. The gauge averaged minus 48.4 from July through September, the third-worst quarterly reading of all time and the weakest since minus 49.9 in the first three months of 2009.

October 5, 2011
American Express survey finds some small business owners believe U.S. still in recession

Research results released by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

New York City -- Research results released Tuesday by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey in its 10th year, concerns about the economy are weighing heavily on entrepreneurs. Twenty-seven percent say they do not plan to grow in the next six months (up from 21% in the spring) and just 77% describe themselves as glass-half-full optimists (down from 85% a year ago).

April 5, 2011
NPD report: Thriftier post-recession consumers stretch food dollars

A report released Tuesday by The NPD Group said that U.S. consumers have emerged from the recession with a honed ability to stretch their dollars and, now faced with rising food costs, they are turning to the cost-savings tactics they’ve mastered over the past few years.

Chicago -- A report released Tuesday by The NPD Group said that U.S. consumers have emerged from the recession with a honed ability to stretch their dollars and, now faced with rising food costs, they are turning to the cost-savings tactics they’ve mastered over the past few years.

March 11, 2011
Retail real estate decision-making comes out of the silo

The “prediction gap” of expert opinion that endlessly disagrees between a rising economic recovery versus continuing recession illustrates the complexity and volatility of the marketplace, and how little room there is for retail chain real estate investment mistakes.

By Dean A. Stoecker, CEO, Alteryx, LLC

January 25, 2011
Consumer confidence in January climbs to eight-month high

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

January 19, 2011
Real estate recovery ongoing

The real estate recovery is well under way, though not without some bumps, workout specialist Dennis P. Yeskey recently told a gathering of more 100 real estate professionals at the "Industry Spotlight: Finance -- Global Trends in the 2011 Real Estate Capital Markets" discussion sponsored by NYCREW, the New York area chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women network.

New York City -- The real estate recovery is well under way, though not without some bumps, workout specialist Dennis P. Yeskey recently told a gathering of more 100 real estate professionals at the "Industry Spotlight: Finance -- Global Trends in the 2011 Real Estate Capital Markets" discussion sponsored by NYCREW, the New York area chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women network.

November 18, 2010
Report: Holiday spending growth to edge up Q4

A report released Thursday by Kurt Salmon Associates said that, while consumer confidence remains shaky, retail sales should see a modest increase through the holiday season, boosted by broadened growth in personal consumption.

San Francisco -- A report released Thursday by Kurt Salmon Associates said that, while consumer confidence remains shaky, retail sales should see a modest increase through the holiday season, boosted by broadened growth in personal consumption.

Specifically, the report predicts personal consumption expenditures to grow between 2.1% and 2.6% for the final quarter of 2010.

November 1, 2010
Survey: Consumers online more, but spending less

A survey released Tuesday by PriceGrabber.co.uk, an Experian company, found that the recession has caused...

October 12, 2010
ULI report explores factors that will shape urban growth

A new report released Tuesday by the Urban Land Institute uncovered a series of factors...

September 27, 2010
Consumer confidence falls in September

Consumer confidence fell in September to the lowest level in seven months as Americans became...

September 16, 2010
Preliminary report: U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index declines

A preliminary report released Thursday by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan showed an unexpected decline in...

August 29, 2010
Consumer spending rises at fastest pace in four months

A report released Monday by the Commerce Department found that consumer spending inched up 0.4%...

August 16, 2010
Deloitte Consumer Spending Index continues downward

Deloitte said Tuesday that its Consumer Spending Index experienced a third straight month of decline...

June 21, 2010
Survey: Consumers continue thrifty ways despite improving economy

A new report released Tuesday by market research firm The NPD Group found that despite...

May 18, 2010
Survey: Consumers ‘recharged’

A survey released Wednesday by Deloitte found that consumers are becoming confident about the economic...

May 5, 2010
Nielsen: Global consumer confidence hits pre-recession levels

Global consumer confidence in first quarter 2010 rebounded to reach its highest level since third...

March 11, 2010
Retail sales make surprising gain in February

Retail sales edged up 0.3% in February, surprising economists who had predicted that the month’s...

January 7, 2010
Job declines continue in spite of other positive economic signs

The U.S. Department of Labor released employment data on Friday indicating that the pace of...

October 20, 2009
Survey: More people spending on ‘cause’ brands

Findings released Wednesday from a survey examining the importance of brands that have a social...

December 29, 2008
Report: Retail Industry to Face More Pressure in ’09

The 2009 outlook for U.S. retail ratings indicates another year of heavy downward pressure, according...

December 23, 2008
November Consumer Spending Slides 0.6%

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that consumer spending fell by 0.6% last month, slightly less...