Consumer Insights: Consumer Worries about Corporations on the Decline

09.21.2009

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ken Eudy
919 882 1962

Consumer confidence in American corporations may be on the mend, according to a recent Capstrat/Public Policy Consumer Insights Poll. Americans reporting "little confidence" in corporations dropped from 52 percent in April 2009 to 36 percent last month.

"The latest poll doesn't indicate that consumers have a lot of confidence in corporations," Capstrat CEO Ken Eudy said. "But it may indicate that consumers' wariness of corporate behavior is bottoming out."

"The data suggest that many consumers think the worst is behind us, at least in terms of job loss and the failure of large companies," Eudy said. "Americans are basically optimistic, and many friends and business associates I talk to want to believe the economy is bouncing back."

In the latest survey, conducted August 27-30, 52 percent of survey respondents said they had "some confidence" in corporations, compared to 41 percent who said so in April. Only 11 percent of respondents said that they have "a lot of confidence" in corporations, up slightly from 8 percent in April.

Other poll findings include:

  • Banks improve as well. Respondents indicating "some confidence" in banks rose from 51 to 57 percent. This likely reflects second quarter performance of financial institutions, as well improving banking stocks.
  • Media confidence down. Could doom-and-gloom journalism be having an effect on consumers' confidence in news media? Respondents indicating "little confidence" in the media are up seven points from 60 to 67 percent. Those with "a lot" or "some" confidence in the media dropped seven points, from 40 to 33 percent.

To view complete survey results, visit Public Policy Polling .

About Capstrat

Capstrat is a communications agency based in Raleigh, N.C. The firm specializes in communications for complex issues that health care, technology, energy/infrastructure and financial organizations face at critical moments. Capstrat provides public relations, marketing communications, interactive communications and public affairs.

About Public Policy Polling

Public Policy Polling has conducted regional and national surveys since 1991. The firm employs Interactive Voice Response or IVR methodology. Just as polling evolved from mail-in surveys and door-to-door interviewers to live telephone interviewers, the polling industry is evolving into automated telephone surveys (IVR) and internet polling. An analysis by the Wall Street Journal of swing state polls in the 2008 presidential campaign concluded that Public Policy Polling was among the two most accurate survey firms.

###