Summer 2022 is on the horizon, and US consumers are eagerly looking forward to a season of travel, safety, and predictability.
As COVID has become more manageable and predictable than the last two years, consumers have started looking toward new experiences and opportunities. They’re anticipating the ability to travel relatively freely, complete with the chance to “make up” for the lost travel time from the pandemic.
The travel industry is anticipating this growth as well, according to Axios, complete with industry leaders concerned that there may not be enough staff to accommodate the sudden influx in bookings for June, July, and August this year.
But this is just the beginning. In addition to the anticipation of travel, experience, and escape, US consumers are looking for more from their brands in Q2 2022. More importantly, they’re feeling good about where they are and what’s to come.
Here’s what you should know about US consumer sentiment in Q2 2022 so you and your business can stay agile in a year of significant change.
Consumer Sentiment Study Overview
Our research team began performing a quarterly study of consumer sentiment to provide guidance to brands that wanted to know what to expect from consumers next.
Each study includes 1,000 consumers aged 18 and older. They participate in a 10-minute online survey that asks how they’re feeling in different categories. From their answers, our expert researchers then look for patterns and trending stories that we can share with you.
This quarter, we’ve learned that consumers are generally feeling confident and optimistic about where they are in life and what’s to come. We’ll keep checking back with consumers throughout 2022 to see if and how that feeling changes, and we’ll report back with our next consumer sentiment study in Q3.
Key Findings on Sentiment, Health & Wellness, & Travel
Some of the first questions we ask consumers focus on how they feel overall in their life, health & wellness, and travel.
Oh Yeah — Life Is Good
- 67% of respondents said that they’re feeling optimistic about life.
- 18% of consumers said that the uncertainty feels like it is never going to end. This is a decrease from 26% in Q1.
This change is contributing to an overall improvement in how consumers say they’re feeling about their lives this quarter.
Fine & Dandy
- 70% of respondents said they’re optimistic about their health and wellness.
- 28% of respondents said they like to practice healthy habits in order to have peace with themselves and others. This is also a decrease from Q1, when 42% of respondents said the same.
Together, these findings point to consumers who are feeling more confident in their lives overall, but less confident about living a healthier lifestyle.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
64% of consumers said they’re optimistic about their ability to travel. This is a significant bump from Q1, when 54% of consumers said the same.
The perception of the travel industry has changed more significantly, according to our research. In Q2, 23% of respondents said that they feel the travel industry is recovering and they feel safe traveling again. In Q1, just 10% of consumers agreed.
With these changes in sentiment, it appears that consumers are more confident in their abilities to travel.