Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index marginally dipped in October after two months of consecutive increases. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.    The Index, which comprises four components--tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices--decreased to 4.1 in October from 4.4 the prior month.      Highlights of the Index include:   

Indianapolis -- Nearly four-fifths of holiday shoppers (79%) begin their holiday shopping prior to Thanksgiving weekend. According to new data from Simon, Millennials are significantly more likely than all other generations to plan to shop on Black Friday (67%) and Christmas Eve (20%) this holiday season.   Other notable findings include:  

Los Gatos, Calif. -- Forty percent of holiday shoppers use mobile shopping apps. According to a new poll of 1,000 U.S. consumers from Wanderful Media, parent company of local sales site Findnsave.com, 51% of shoppers are very interested in receiving mobile notifications regarding holiday deals and sales, and 20% of them have already signed up to receive mobile sale alerts.  

Environmental advocates and building industry pros have long circled each other in conflict and cooperation, but it seems that there's a loud and growing faction of activists putting a relatively new issue on the map.

That's because bees are dying -- suddenly, and often at once, numbering in the millions -- a troubling effect known as Colony Collapse Disorder that has been linked to the use of neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide that can be found on Lowe's and Home Depot shelves nationwide.

Bellevue, Wash. –- Two in three (66%) consumers purchasing holiday gifts exceeds their budget, typically by $116. According to a new survey of U.S. consumers from Coinstar, this figure rises to 78% of holiday shoppers with children.   Seventy-four percent of holiday shoppers will cut back on indulgences to help afford seasonal gifts. Popular areas to reduce spending among these shoppers include eating out (53%) and entertainment (52%).  

New York -- During the 2014 holiday season, marketers will run more campaigns on Facebook than any other social network. According to new data from Experian Marketing Services, 49% of global marketers who run social-media campaigns will do so via organic Facebook posts, and 34% plan to use paid ads or boosted posts.   

New York –- There is a high demand among consumers for mobile apps that would make the Black Friday shopping experience easier. According to data from Verizon, 80% of consumers say knowing where to get the best Black Friday deals would make their experience easier.  

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail sales edged up in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, evidence that recent job gains and lower gas prices are lifting consumer spending as the holiday shopping season begins. Retail sales rose 0.3% last month after falling by the same amount in September. Excluding gas stations, where falling prices lowered spending, sales rose a solid 0.5%.