Gulf South Index
Built from research, local perspective and decades of regional experience, the Gulf South Index helps leaders better understand the people, trends and decisions shaping our region.
Get Insight. Stay Ready.
Sign up to stay up to date on trends and topics shaping the Gulf South.
What We Learned in 2022 – The Case for People
My father passed away this year, as many of you likely know. He and I worked together for 25 years, more than half of my life. During that time, we worked with nearly 100 colleagues and who knows how many clients, organizations, local and state leaders, friends and genuinely good people. There were a few bad ones, but so few and distant that I have trouble remembering their names and faces.
Holiday Celebrations Continue, But Holiday Spending Stalls
The holiday season is either your most favorite time of year or bordering on a total mess…or both, depending on who you ask. But whether you live for the festivities or count the days until January – the 2022 holiday season looks a little different this year. Our mild understatement here is noted.
"It’s Not Me. It’s You. – The “Everything is Terrible, But I’m Fine.” Social Media Edition
“Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.” – Gertrude Stein The closer people are to their own driveways, the better they feel about their own situation. While the world seems awful, people feel individually that they are doing alright. However, the “everything is terrible, but I’m fine” theory has a cousin…
Everything is Terrible, But I’m Fine.
There “is a growing American tendency to be catastrophically gloomy about the direction of this country, even as we’re resiliently sunny about our own household’s future.” – Derek Thompson, The Atlantic – June 1, 2022 One aspect of the Gulf South Index has stuck with me throughout the time we’ve tracked what people believe, choose and buy in the Gulf South…
The Real Cost of How We Spend Our Time
As screen time rises, Americans are more dependent than ever on our media to keep us company, but this online dependency can have real-world consequences. * * * What are we spending our time on? In 2022, screens and social media dominate most Americans’ time, regardless of age. While certain platforms like streaming services seem to entice all generations, some platforms, such as TikTok, have a stronger grasp on specific age groups.
Back to School – What We’re NOT Buying This Year
As the new school year begins and children around the country anticipate what the year will bring, parents are plagued by funding a new school year in a time of increasing inflation and economic uncertainty. Last year, the excitement of leaving Zoom school and online accommodations behind tempered the high prices back-to-school season boasted. In Deloitte’s 2021 back-to-school survey, people were 55% more confident about the economy’s prospects than they were in 2020, as their purchases reflected.
Perception, Reality and the Pursuit of Happiness
Real vs. perceived economic pain. When it comes to issues like the economy and crime, the public perception of a bad situation may be worse than the situation itself. Even worse, negative perceptions about the economy, specifically, can lead to the reality of a declining economy. The news right now is tough. The percentage of consumers rating the U.S. economy as “poor” or “very poor” rose by 12 points from nearly 35% in late March to more than 47% in early June, according to Resonate’s COVID-19 and Emerging Trends Consumer Flash Study released earlier this month.
Stay Ahead of What's Moving
Understanding this region takes time, attention and perspective. Let us help you navigate uncertainty and take action.