3 Things to Know: Spending Cutbacks and Brand-Switching Among High-income Consumers, American Interest in Community-Supported Agriculture

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1. High-income households target subscriptions as they look to cut down on expenses amid economic uncertainty.

This week, CivicScience explores how high-income households are adapting their spending in response to economic uncertainty. While Americans earning $150K or more annually are less likely to reduce spending in traditional ways—such as couponing, dining out less, or cutting live entertainment costs—they show similar levels of restraint as those earning under $50K when it comes to scaling back on subscription services and buying fewer coffees/alcoholic drinks when going out.

Take our Poll: How many streaming subscriptions do you currently have?

2. High-income earners are more willing to switch away from a brand when its products drop in quality or quantity.

While high earners may be cutting back in more selective ways, additional data show they are quicker to act when a product they usually purchase declines in quality or quantity, without a corresponding drop in price. Those in lower-income households, meanwhile, are more likely to look for a different product from the same brand.

Use this Data: CivicScience clients leverage real-time data like this to monitor any signals that may impact their growth and retention efforts amid the current climate of economic uncertainty.

3. As food prices rise, Americans take an interest in community-supported agriculture programs.

With costs rising, more Americans are eyeing community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs as a way to stretch their food dollars. These programs allow consumers to support local farms directly by purchasing a share of the season’s harvest, typically delivered weekly in the form of fresh produce. Among those familiar with CSAs, nearly one-quarter (22%) have either subscribed or done so in the past, while another 23% say they’re interested in giving it a try. Women and lower-income consumers are especially drawn to the model.  Higher-income households, meanwhile, are the least likely to be interested.

Take our Poll: Have you ever subscribed to a CSA (community sponsored agriculture) before?

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