US Consumers Spending LESS on Everyday Items, March 2003 (% of respondenrts)
Going to movies | 42% |
Eating out at fast food restaurants | 41 |
Home electronics | 37 |
Alcoholic beverages | 36 |
Eating out, casual dining | 35 |
Household appliances | 35 |
In-home media entertainment | 32 |
Home improvement or repair | 30 |
Favorite activity or hobby | 26 |
InsightExpress surveyed 300 people in the US during mid-March 2003. The survey also determined that 50% of respondents think it is currently a bad time to look for a job. Indeed, many employers are also waiting for economic and political changes before they begin hiring again. According to a New York Times Job Market survey in the New York metro area, 46% of hiring managers are waiting for better stock market performance to hire new employees and 45% are waiting for US government intervention to improve the economy.
Factors New York Based Employers Say Will Greatly Influence Their Decision to Hire New Employees in 2003 (% of respondents)
Increase in sales volume | 67% |
Increase in consumer spending | 56 |
Improved stock market performance | 46 |
Government intervention to improve economy | 43 |
Reduced health care costs | 38 |
Increase in capital spending | 38 |
Decrease in costs of purchased goods | 36 |
Greater stability in International affairs | 34 |
Decrease in oil price/energy costs | 32 |