- IBI Partners quarterly forecast of Australian consumer confidence, conducted amongst a representative sample of 2,500 Australians, forecasts a slight decrease for the 1st Quarter 2012 compared to the 4th Quarter 2011.
- The main factors that are forecast to contribute to the decrease in consumer confidence are concerns about increasing unemployment - especially amongst white collar, part-time and casual workers, increases in the cost of living and general concern of a downturn in the domestic and international economies.
- The trend of Australians decreasing debt and increasing savings, which has been occurring since the GFC in late 2008, is forecast to strengthen in the 1st Quarter 2012, to the highest level over the past 18 months, with the reduction of credit card and mortgage debt a priority.
Australian consumer confidence for the 1st Quarter 2012 is forecast to decrease slightly
