How the Retail Spending Index is calculated:
The Experian US Retail Spending Index is calculated utilizing responses from a nationally representative sample of US consumers to 3 relevant survey questions.
- Thinking about your spending overall, for your household and for yourself individually, right now compared to a month ago, are you…
- Spending more now than a month ago (score=100), Spending about the same (0), or Spending less / trying to cut back on spending (-100)
- For each of the (25) categories listed below, please indicate whether or not your spending this month is higher, the same, or lower than it was last month?
- Higher (100), The Same (0), or Lower (-100)
- For each of the (25) categories listed below, please indicate what you expect might happen next month. Is your spending likely to be higher, lower or about the same?
- Higher (100), The Same (0), or Lower (-100)
Respondents answer questions 2 and 3 separately for these 25 household spend categories:
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Purchases of furniture, appliances, electronics; Home maintenance/repairs/improvement; Internet costs; Media subscriptions – streaming services, cable, magazines, newspapers, etc.; Cell phone costs; School/college tuition and fees; Childcare / babysitting; Items for baby – diapers, baby food, formula etc.; Automobile expenses; Public transport / taxi / ride share; Groceries; Food Delivery or take out; Eating out; Medical and dental services; Pharmacy; Beauty and wellness; Cigarettes & tobacco; Alcohol; Coffee; Recreation and Entertainment – movies, shows, concerts, sporting events, etc.; Books/video games/music downloads, etc.; Clothing; Shoes and accessories; Vacation
Retail Spending INDEX = the average score (between 100 and -100) to the 3 questions noted above.
The index is scored between 100 and -100, with the values representing:
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100 = Extremely High Retail Spending
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0 = Normal Retail Spending
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-100 = Extremely Low Retail Spending