U.S. consumers’ self-reported daily spending in stores, restaurants, gas stations, and online averaged $65 per day in April 2011, according to Gallup data. Despite price increases on many commodities, this figure is essentially flat from $64 in March 2011 and $65 in April 2010.
Spending So Far in 2011 Little Changed
In addition, consumer spending during the first four months of 2011 is virtually unchanged from the same period last year and in 2009. Nearly two years after economists declared the recession over, spending remains far below the pre-economic-crisis levels of early 2008.
Upper-Income Americans Not Spending More
Upper-income Americans (those making $90,000 or more annually) spent an average of $112 per day in April 2011, not much different from the $108 of March. While these Americans have the disposable income to spend more freely when they choose, they have not done so during the first four months of 2011. Instead, upper-income spending has been largely consistent with the depressed levels of 2009 and 2010.
Lower- and Middle-Income Spending No Different than a Year Ago
Lower- and middle-income Americans’ self-reported spending averaged $58 per day during April, not much different from the $57 of March. This spending level also mirrors the $59 average of April 2010.
Amex: 7 in 10 Americans Will Spend More for Good Service
Seven in ten Americans (70%) are willing to spend an average of 13% more with companies they believe provide excellent customer service, according to the American Express Global Customer Service Barometer. These figures are up substantially from 2010, when six in ten Americans (58%) said they would spend an average of 9% more with companies that deliver great service.
About the Data: For Gallup Daily tracking, Gallup interviews approximately 1,000 national adults, aged 18 and older, each day.
