LOCAL
Consumers’ ability to pay their energy bills is a top concern in emerging markets, particularly for 79% of South Africans and 73% of Indians, an Ipsos survey shows.
This is followed by Turkey (71%), Argentina (70%) and Chile (69%).
Among established economies, concern about energy bills is highest in Britain, where 67% are worried about their ability to pay utility bills.
This is highest in Turkey (80%), SA (73%) and Argentina (69%). The Chinese (28%) and Dutch (33%) are least likely to say they are concerned about this.
Three-quarters (77%) of the global public are concerned about the cost of goods and services increasing over the next six months. This includes 91% of Hungarians, 88% of those in SA and 86% of Argentinians. Even in China, where the concern is lowest, 45% say this is a worry over the next half year.
In the face of rising costs which make their normal lifestyle unaffordable, almost half (46%) say they would spend less money on socialising and a similar proportion (44%)say they would delay large purchase decisions.
Ipsos is initiating a new survey this month titled “Pinching pockets, the South African Consumer Price War”.
In an explanatory note the company said: “The Reserve Bank continues to hike interest rates due to inflationary pressures, which has also been largely driven by skyrocketing oil prices resulting in petrol and diesel prices rising by more than one-third over the past year. In addition, the invasion of Ukraine has triggered large increases in commodity prices, including wheat and cooking oil.”
It intends looking into changing consumer mindsets in terms of spending and financial behaviour and the potential impact on most-affected economic sectors across the age segments GenX, Millennials and Gen Z consumers.
Source: TimesLIVE
