Consumers are far more receptive to brands when they're feeling financially comfortable.
There is a flight to quality in grocery shopping aisles with housebrand and generics share now at an all time low. Mr Nelson said this buying quality trend had flowed over into other changes in Australians' lifestyle bought on by the current economic environment. We have moved beyond the cappucino society to embrace a lifestyle of dining out in caf s and restaurants. However, Mr Nelson, whose recent economic and sales forecasts have proved extremely accurate, flagged a sombre warning the 'good life' could be short lived. While consumer spending is expected to remain buoyant, rising consumer debt could spoil the party at some stage in the future, perhaps as early as mid next year.