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.
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Supply chain setbacks, renewed optimism drive early holiday shopping
With Thanksgiving just a couple weeks away, many consumers are making holiday plans and preparing for the gift-giving season. The latest Gulf South Index data shows that while economic and pandemic uncertainty may have consumers holding back on making large purchases for the remainder of the year, they are still eager to get together for the holidays, with 68% of Gulf South consumers planning to celebrate with family and friends.
NEW REPORT: Optimism down but opportunities abound in the Gulf South
New data released today in the Gulf South Index Fall Update shows consumers in our region are finding themselves in a cone of uncertainty as economic volatility, the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and lingering COVID-19 concerns impact decision-making for the remainder of 2021. The latest findings examine views of consumers in the Gulf South and across the nation regarding the economy, outlook for the future, spending habits, who people trust, post-pandemic behaviors and comfort levels with travel and leisure activities.
Choosing to stay and build – What businesses & organizations can expect
In 2005, everything my wife and I owned washed away in floodwater that followed Hurricane Katrina. She and I had a choice to make. Return and rebuild with our newborn daughter or go elsewhere. We chose to stay and build. The challenges along the U.S. Gulf Coast in the last 16 years – from hurricanes and oil spills to economic downturns and a pandemic – put the same basic choice in front of millions of the region’s citizens.
We are back in the cone of uncertainty
While the summer started off on an optimistic note with COVID-19 cases declining, mask mandates lifting and people setting off for long-overdue vacations, August seemed to come in and knock us back six months in the progress we were making thanks to the introduction of the Delta variant. Now, 80% of adults are concerned about the latest variant, with concern growing among both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults in the past week, according to research by Morning Consult.
Back-to-school: Consumers are shopping early, spending more
Parents are gearing up for students to head back to in-person learning in the coming days and weeks. Some, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. How the school year will play out is anyone’s guess as re-emerging pandemic concerns linger in the background. But for now, parents are spending early and big – more than ever before – to get their children back to the classroom.
Local News: Meeting people where they are
Fair and accurate dissemination of information is a hot button issue. Who people trust to deliver this information is an important part of the narrative. A recent Politico opinion piece by Jack Shafer says local news is collapsing and that readers are to blame for the downfall. The article also suggests that there is just not enough local news to cover to make it of value to readers.
On the road again
We have reached a turning point when it comes to consumers venturing back out into the world. A renewed demand for leisure activities and many of the things that make the Gulf South distinct – tourism, entertainment and outdoor activities – is evident according to the 2021 Gulf South Index Report. People are heading back to bars and restaurants and planning road trips this summer to driving destinations like our Gulf Coast beaches.
New data shows being local more important than ever
The Gulf South is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic in better shape than some other parts of the country. People are resuming some of their regular activities, many students have been back in the classroom for a while now and the overall economic picture is bright, according to new data in the 2021 Gulf South Index Report.
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