Nielsen: 6 percent growth in value, stability in terms of volume

Global consumer confidence increased five index points to 94 in Q1 2012, according to global consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy.

In the latest round of the survey, conducted between February 10 and February 27, 2012, overall confidence rose in 68 percent of global markets measured, compared to Q4 2011 where confidence increased in 21 percent of global markets. Confidence in Q1 2012 increased in 38 out of 56 markets, fell in 16 markets and remained flat in two.

“Households around the globe experienced brighter personal situations in terms of jobs and personal finances last quarter, especially in the U.S. and Asia, which was reflected with improved consumer confidence and higher discretionary spending,” said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. “While global economic conditions are more stable than in the depths of the European sovereign debt crisis late last year, underlying economic conditions are still fragile and fluid in many parts of the world, which could affect consumer confidence and spending momentum for the coming quarter.”