Households

Consumer sentiments fall short

Expectations of household incomes a year later turned positive in March 2023 for the first time since April 2020

60% households expect dip in earning, seek relief in Budget 2023: Survey

More than half of households in a survey conducted online across 309 districts expect a decline in their income by up to 25 per cent and dip in savings, and are looking for relief in the coming budget, online platform LocalCircles said on Sunday. The survey, conducted between November 25 and January 25, found that with job losses and hiring sentiment turning negative, 52 per cent respondents feel that the economic uncertainty will persist for the next 6-12 months. LocalCircles claimed that 37,000 responses were received from household consumers across 309 districts of India, comprising 64 per cent men, 36 per cent women from tier 1, tier 2 and smaller towns as well. "Our survey indicates that majority households in the country are facing the squeeze and in community discussions thousands of inputs were received by LocalCircles about lowering income tax rates or increasing deductions and exemptions," LocalCircles founder Sachin Taparia said. The number of responses on each question

Refrigerator prices may rise up to 5% as BEE labelling norms kick in

Prices of refrigerators are likely to increase by up to 5 per cent as the revised norms of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) have become applicable from January 1 this year. According to manufacturers like Godrej Appliances, Haier and Panasonic, implementation of the new norms may put an additional burden of 2-5 per cent on consumers, depending on the models. Besides tightening the labelling, the new norms also mandate separate star labelling for freezers and refrigerator provisioning units (storage part) of the frost-free models. "Now, we have to declare labelling for both. That is the new change," said Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive Vice President Kamal Nandi told PTI. When asked about the price increase, he said: "In every energy efficiency tightening, cost inputs go up a little bit to achieve those efficiencies through better insulation and around 2-3 per cent price hike because of this will be happening, depending on various models and star ratings". Moreov

Consumer sentiments depressed in December

Like the labour market stress is concentrated in urban India, consumer sentiments have also soured essentially in urban India

Indian households outdo emerging market peers on cutting debt levels

Only one among BRIC countries to have cut leverage to levels to pre-pandemic levels

Private consumption edges up in Q2; infra investment almost flat

PFCE, a proxy for household and private sector consumption, was 61.6% of nominal GDP in Q2FY23, as against 61.1% in the previous quarter and 59.5 per cent a year ago

69% Indian households struggle with financial insecurity, says survey

Despite robust growth in financial inclusion and the burgeoning financial services industry, almost 69 per cent of Indian households struggle with financial insecurity and vulnerability, according to a personal finance survey conducted by Money9. India's Personal Finance Pulse maps Indian households' income, savings, investment and spending, said a statement issued by Money9, promoted by TV9 Network. Providing insights into how India earns, spends and saves, the survey has also unveiled the country's first-ever state ranking of citizen financial security -- the Money9 Financial Security Index. "The survey finds that the average income of an Indian family of 4.2 persons is Rs 23,000 per month. Over 46 per cent of Indian families have an income of less than Rs 15,000 per month i.e.belong to the aspiring or lowest-income cohort," it said. "Only 3 per cent of Indian households have a luxury standard of living and most of them belong to higher income cohorts (High- Middle and Rich)." Al

New Zealand's cost of living for average households rises by 7.7% YoY

The cost of living for the average household in New Zealand increased by 7.7 per cent year on year, with increasing prices widely felt across all household groups in the September 2022 quarter

Gujarat govt to give two cylinders free to Ujjwala beneficiaries

The state govt has also announced 10% value added tax reduction on compressed natural gas and piped natural gas

56 mn Indians may have turned poor in 2020 due to pandemic: World Bank

"The global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is likely to be missed: by then, about 600 million people will remain in abject poverty. A major course correction is needed," Indermit Gill said.

Ahead of festive season, retail credit growth nears 20% in August

Credit growth to the services sector accelerated to 17.2 per cent in August 2022 from just 2.1 per cent a year ago. It was mainly due to improved credit off-take to NBFCs and trade sectors.

Mutual funds' share in household savings jump 150% in FY22: RBI data

Retail investments in MF rise as flows into bank deposits drop

1 in 3 families may splurge over Rs 10,000 this festival season: Survey

LocalCircles report said CMIE had reported that the consumer sentiments decreased in August after rising in July

Footfalls in stores may rise by 20% this festival season: Local Circles

An increase of 20 per cent in consumers likely to be seen in stores/markets this festival season as compared to last year

EU seeks $140 bn from energy firms to insulate consumers from energy crisis

European gas and power prices have rocketed this year as Russia cut fuel exports to retaliate for Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine

State govts step up relief measures for households battling inflation

Kerala distributed a package of free food items costing about 450 rupees ($5.70) each to over 8 million families during the Onam festival earlier this month.

Patients' out-of-pocket medical bill spend declined in 2018-19, shows data

The NHA 2018-19 highlighted that the Centre's expenditure on the National Health Mission was Rs 30,578 crore

33% Indian households cut milk consumption amid price rise concerns: Survey

LocalCircles -- a community social media platform -- conducted a survey to gather information on how the households are coping with it

State of the Indian economy: Unequal, uneven distribution of wealth

The income gap between states is growing and the pain of inflation is worse for those falling behind

At 10.1%, Britain's inflation hits 40-year high as food prices soar

Britain's rate of inflation has surged to a new 40-year high as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 10.1 per cent on Wednesday, with increasing food costs the biggest driver of the latest hike. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), annual inflation for essential food items is now running at 12.7 per cent, up from 9.8 per cent in June, fuelled largely by price rises for basics such as bread, milk, cheese and eggs. The latest figures come amid soaring energy bills and a mounting cost-of-living crisis across the country. "A wide range of price rises drove inflation up again this month, said ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner. "Food prices rose notably, particularly bakery products, dairy, meat and vegetables, which was also reflected in higher takeaway prices. Price rises in other staple items, such as pet food, toilet rolls, toothbrushes and deodorants also pushed up inflation in July, he said. "Driven by higher demand, the price for package holidays rose, after