Consumer confidence in M’sia below global average: Nielsen

CUTTING BACK: Malaysian consumer sentiment in Q1 2014 at 92 points in the Nielsen survey is below the global average of 94, and far from the bullish atmosphere in Indonesia, which at 124 points is the highest in the world.

KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer confidence in the country has taken a hit as Malaysians continue to worry about the economic outlook, food prices and job security this year, according to a Nielsen survey.

Malaysia saw the region’s largest decline in confidence between the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first three months of 2014, declining six index points to 92. This is two points below the global average of 94 points, says the latest Nielsen Global Survey on Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions.