![]() Australian are being urged to buy consumer electronics and appliances after a leading research Company Roy Morgan revealed that for the first time in 18 months, a majority of Australians (52%) say “now is a good time to buy” major household items. Consumer confidence for the first week of July remains virtually unchanged at 113.5 – down 0.4 points since late June, according to the latest weekly Roy Morgan survey. The past three weeks showed little movement since the significant 9.2 point rise in consumer confidence in June. “On a positive note though, for the first time in 18 months a majority of Australians (52%, up 2%) say ‘now is a good time to buy’ major household items,” Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan said. “Rising confidence in this area is welcome news for retailers that have been forced into heavy discounting to spur sales over the past year.” The latest survey also shows more Australians believe we are in for “bad times” financially over the next 12 months – 34%, up 3% since late June and 6% on the same time last year. “As more Australians become unemployed and under-employed, it is not surprising that 38% (up 6%) of Australians believe their family is ‘worse off financially’ than a year ago,” said Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan. |