1、Waiting on the world to changeWeighing value with valuesKearney Consumer InstituteQ2 2025The overlooked consumer Lost in the noise of geopolitics and AIKearney Consumer InstituteQuarterly briefing Q3 2025 2Consumers continue to be overlookedand at what cost?In moments of geopolitical noise,the consu

2、mer can become a background character to internal debates about tariffs and supply chains(and how to utilize AI).But with the health of the economy reliant upon spend and GDP,the consumer is likely to end up as the main character in the fallout.Consumers are already actively shaping the fallout thro

3、ugh choices,trade-offs,and micro-rebellions.Topics covered:Inflation,price/value,and consumer spending Consumer sentiment and macroeconomic pressures Consumer trust and AI3Recurring and familiar costs,whether in a cart,at the pump,or on a bill,draw the most consumer scrutiny.Food prices persist as t

4、he biggest complaintFood groceriesRestaurantsHomeutilitiesGasNon-foodgroceries67%64%85%37%25%32%31%33%29%44%72%24%19%24%Aug 2025Apr 2024Oct 2022Im cutting back on buying things that I dont need in the moment.I used to buy multiples of things,like bath soaps,dish soaps,shampoos,lotions.Now,Im challen

5、ging myself to use all of what I have before I buy more.Im almost treating it like a game.ConsumerIn the past 6 months,what categories have you personally felt the most impact of price changes?Source:Kearney Consumer Institute Q3 2025 behavior surveyShort term:inflation,price/value,and spending34Con

6、sumers are both spending and savingSources:Kearney Consumer Institute Q3 2025 behavior survey;on-the-ground interviews;RedditShort term:inflation,price/value,and spending but the sharpest increases(since April 2024)favor spending+15%buying clothes/shoes+15%took a vacation+10%bought entertainment tic