Business and Economy
Little evidence of a sustained retail spending splurge last weekend
December 2, 2008Americans’ self-reported spending jumped on Black Friday, marking a sharp turnaround from the general drop during the past few weeks. Spending fell to more typical levels Saturday, providing faint hope that this holiday shopping season will be an exception to the overall weak economy.
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December 2, 2008Americans reported spending an average of $177 on Black Friday, which is well above the $109 average amount reportedly spent daily so far in 2008. However, Americans only reported spending $117 on Saturday.
Majorities in most APEC states see economic conditions getting worse
December 2, 2008The global economic crisis is exacting a hefty toll on export-reliant economies in developed Asia, where recession is either a threat or already reality. Gallup Polls in the region show consumer sentiment took a more negative turn after the global economic slump began in 2007.
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Each result is based on a three-day rolling average
Gallup's spending measure tracks the average dollar amount Americans report spending or charging on a daily basis, not counting the purchase of a home, motor vehicle, or normal household bills. Respondents are asked to reflect on the day prior to being surveyed and results are presented here in a three-day rolling average.
Public divided as to whether their influence should increase, decrease, or stay the same
December 1, 2008The most recent Gallup Poll update on labor unions finds 59% of Americans saying they approve of labor unions, in line with recent years’ data. But the public remains rather divided as to whether U.S. labor unions should have more (35%), less (32%), or the same (28%) influence in the future as they have today.
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November 28, 2008With highly negative consumer confidence levels, Americans increasingly worried about money, and estimated Christmas spending at an all-time low, this traditional shopping weekend is likely to be a tough one for retailers.
Variety of Gallup indicators suggest consumers will spend cautiously
November 28, 2008If Black Friday lives up to its name, it will be in spite of extraordinarily bleak indicators. These include Americans’ highly conservative 2008 Christmas spending forecast, their negative outlook for their personal standard of living, and their lack of confidence in the U.S. economy.
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Still, seasonally adjusted unemployment claims continued to surge last week
November 25, 2008Gallup’s hiring measure suggests that job losses continue to surge but that new jobless claims increased last week by less than the 542,000 of the prior week, and probably by less than the 537,000 consensus estimate.
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Job-market evaluations worst in seven years
November 24, 2008A recent Gallup Poll found just 12% of Americans saying now is a good time to find a quality job -- the worst reading Gallup has measured since it began tracking this monthly in 2001. Gallup Poll Daily tracking finds consumer evaluations of the overall economy the worst they have been this year.
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Most expect it will be two or more years before economy picks up
November 21, 2008More than three in four Americans (77%) mention some aspect of the economy as the most important problem facing the country, one of the highest levels since Gallup first asked the question in 1939. Most Americans believe it will be two years or longer before the economy starts to recover.
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