North Americans' Spending Intentions, May 2013 [CHART]

Chart - North Americans' Spending Intentions

North Americans are becoming more confident in spending, according to results from a Nielsen survey of consumer confidence and spending intentions. In Q1, 42% of respondents (all surveyed online) said they plan to spend on discretionary items this year, up from 36% the previous quarter. Within the US, 23% said they will spend on home improvement and decorating projects, a significant jump from 17% who responded that way in Q4 2012. Additionally, 22% are planning to take a vacation, up 2% quarter-over-quarter, with the same figures applying to out-of-home entertainment spending.

Still the researchers note that “the increase in reported discretionary spending is not a rising tide affecting all ships.” Indeed, 28% of respondents in the US reported having no spare cash. Read the rest at MarketingCharts.