Russian consumer confidence index fall

According to Nielsen research, Russian consumer confidence plunged to an eight year-low in the final quarter of 2008.

 The Nielsen survey said the consumer confidence index fell to 88
in the final three months of last year, down sharply from 104 in the
previous period.

A third of Russians feel their personal financial situation
worsened during the fourth quarter, the consumer confidence data
showed. Going forward, around 40 percent reckon things will not
change, while a quarter say they will get worse.

Russians don't save on bred, milk, washpowder or cigarettes, but
people buy less mineral water, meat, beer or cake.