How Consumers Are Reacting To Financial Strain, October 2013 [CHART]

The government shutdown and potential debt ceiling crisis had many consumers anticipating financial hardships, says IRI, citing results to a survey conducted in the days leading up to and immediately after the shutdown. IRI’s Shopper Sentiment Index, though, a measure of the economy’s impact on consumers and how they approach grocery shopping, rose to a new high of 109, up from its previous high of 106 in Q2. Still, while consumer confidence may be enduring, some segments of the population are displaying price-sensitive behavior.

For example, the survey results indicate that 55% of Millennials (18-34) are trying new brands priced below regular brands, as are 54% of families and 49% of Hispanics. Read the rest at MarketingCharts.