weak consumer demand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak consumer demand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in economic discussions or analyses to describe a situation where consumers are not purchasing goods or services at expected levels. Example: "The company's sales report indicated weak consumer demand, leading to a decline in revenue for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's a reflection of weak consumer demand.

The New York Times

One main reason there aren't enough jobs right now is weak consumer demand.

The New York Times

After all, few businesses want to expand and hire new employees, given weak consumer demand.

The New York Times

And weak consumer demand has led to 28 months of steadily falling prices.

The New York Times

In particular, cash-rich corporations see no reason to invest that cash in the face of weak consumer demand.

The New York Times

Uncertain markets, an increased regulatory burden and weak consumer demand has prompted banks like Goldman Sachs and Barclays to retrench.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Yet that means weaker consumer demand — and without that demand, how are we supposed to return to full employment?

The New York Times

Elizabeth Martins, economist at HSBC, said the fall in clothing prices was a surprise, and could be weather related or down to weaker consumer demand.

The Guardian - Business

The price, which reflects weaker consumer demand in a fragile economy, mirrors the federal government's Consumer Price Index, which increased 3.4 percent this year for the far more pedestrian items used by today's consumer.

The New York Times

Best Buy, the electronics chain store, reported lower-than-expected sales and profit, hurt by rising costs to expand its business and weaker consumer demand, sending its shares down 6.1 percent.

The New York Times

Retailers, in contrast to the service sector, have failed to expand payrolls through most of the summer, a stagnation that some experts attribute to weaker consumer demand, partly because of the energy shock and partly because of rising interest rates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic downturns, use "weak consumer demand" to clearly indicate a lack of spending that is hindering growth. Support your claims with specific data, such as retail sales figures or consumer confidence surveys.

Common error

Avoid attributing "weak consumer demand" to a single factor. Economic downturns are complex, and reduced spending is often a result of multiple interconnected issues like unemployment, inflation, and uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak consumer demand" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "demand". It describes a state or condition within the economy. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing economic situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Weak consumer demand" is a commonly used phrase in economics to describe a situation where consumers are not purchasing goods or services at the expected rate. Ludwig's analysis, along with numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in news, business, and economic contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to avoid oversimplifying the causes and to support claims with specific data. Alternative phrases like "low consumer spending" or "sluggish consumer market" can be used to add variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: a lack of consumer activity hindering economic growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low consumer spending

Focuses on the spending aspect of consumer behavior being at a reduced level.

sluggish consumer market

Emphasizes the slow pace and inactivity within the consumer market.

decreased buying activity

Highlights the reduction in the overall act of purchasing goods and services.

reduced consumer appetite

Implies a lack of desire or enthusiasm from consumers to make purchases.

stagnant consumer base

Suggests a lack of growth or movement in the number of consumers making purchases.

soft retail sales

Specifically points to the underperformance in sales figures at the retail level.

subdued consumption levels

Highlights the state of consumer consumption being at a lower intensity.

dampened purchasing power

Focuses on the reduced ability of consumers to afford goods and services.

lackluster consumer interest

Implies a lack of excitement or engagement from consumers in the marketplace.

tepid consumer confidence

Emphasizes the lack of optimism and assurance among consumers about the economy.

FAQs

What does "weak consumer demand" mean in economics?

In economics, "weak consumer demand" refers to a situation where consumers are not buying goods and services at expected or desired levels, indicating a slowdown in economic activity.

What are some signs of "weak consumer demand"?

Signs of "weak consumer demand" include declining retail sales, increased inventory levels, and reduced consumer confidence.

What factors contribute to "weak consumer demand"?

Factors that can contribute to "weak consumer demand" include unemployment, inflation, economic uncertainty, and decreased purchasing power.

What are some alternative ways to describe "weak consumer demand"?

You can use alternatives like "low consumer spending", "sluggish consumer market", or "reduced buying activity" depending on the specific context.