New Data Reveals Deepening Economic Anxiety Among U.S. Consumers, Driving Significant Spending Shifts
Latest data from the Consumer Trends Report released today by Resonate, the leader in AI-powered predictive consumer intelligence, reveals that economic uncertainty is no longer just a hypothetical concern for American households; it is now having a noticeable and growing effect on personal finances and spending habits. The latest data indicates a sharp increase in financial fears and a resurgence of cost-saving behaviors, fundamentally reshaping consumer expectations and purchasing decisions:
- Soaring Financial Fears: Worries about a stock market crash surged by 52.6% in the last three months, with over a quarter of Americans (25.5%) now fearing this event. Concerns about a U.S. economic slowdown or recession also dramatically increased by 17.5%, with 46% of consumers expressing worry.
- Personal Financial Struggles: The percentage of consumers feeling “somewhat worse off” sharply rose by 24% to 22.2% from March 2025. Consumers who feel the same about their personal finances as six months prior plummeted by 8.5% to 48.1% (from 52.6% in March 2025).
- Purchase Delays and Cancellations: Consumers are increasingly postponing or canceling vacations, major household purchases, vehicle acquisitions, and even home sales. This trend extends to subscriptions, with the number of Americans canceling some or all subscriptions rising by 8.6% to 29% in just three months.
- Return to Core Cost-Saving Strategies: Time-tested strategies from past inflationary periods are back in force. 48% are opting for cheaper store or alternative brands (a 6% increase), and 36.2% are cutting non-essential purchases (an 8.7% increase).
- Politics Influencing Consumers: Politics are increasingly influencing consumer shopping behavior, with 16% of Americans being less inclined to shop with a brand supporting left-leaning groups, while 31% being less inclined to buy from a company openly supporting right-leaning groups, reinforcing the need for brands to understand the psychographic and value-driven nuances of their target audience.
This data underscores the urgent need for businesses to adopt advanced consumer intelligence solutions that provide actionable insights on consumer behavior and intent in order to navigate the turbulent economic landscape effectively.
Resonate’s Consumer Trends Report cuts through the noise, delivering essential, data-driven insights into the actual sentiments, motivations, and behaviors of Americans, powered by the most recent predictive data and intelligence.
