近期，美国经济的中流砥柱——中产阶层正面临前所未有的经济挑战。高通胀的持续影响、关税政策的 不确定性以及收入预期的下滑，让这一群体的经济信心急剧下降。这种情绪的转变不仅深刻影响了他们 的消费行为，也波及了零售、餐饮、航空和时尚等多个行业。 密歇根大学于8月29日公布的最新调查结果显示，8月的消费者信心指数与前一月相比下降了近6%，这 一数据逆转了6月和7月的小幅回升趋势，显示出消费者对经济前景的担忧正在加剧。 世界大型企业联合会的另一项调查也显示，就业市场上的悲观情绪正在蔓延，越来越多的受访者预计自 己的收入将会有所减少，这一现象在中产阶层中尤为显著。皮尤研究中心将中产阶层定义为年收入在家 庭收入中位数的三分之二至两倍之间的人群，目前这一范围大致在5.3万美元至16.1万美元之间。 随着消费者信心的下降，越来越多的美国人开始削减开支。密歇根大学的数据显示，在5月至7月期间， 超过70%的受访者表示计划在未来一年内减少购买价格上涨较大的商品。这一趋势在零售和餐饮业尤为 明显。沃尔玛注意到，中低收入顾客的购物篮中非必需品的比例有所减少。同时，一些车主为了节约开 支，选择推迟非必要的汽车维修。 在科尔士百货公司，顾 ...

Group 1 - The middle class in the U.S. is experiencing a decline in economic confidence due to high inflation, tariff uncertainties, and decreasing income expectations, which is affecting consumer behavior across various industries [1][2] - The University of Michigan's consumer confidence index dropped nearly 6% in August, reversing the upward trend seen in June and July [1][4] - A significant portion of consumers, over 70%, plan to reduce spending on items with high price increases in the coming year [4] Group 2 - Retail and dining sectors are particularly impacted, with Walmart noting a decrease in non-essential purchases among lower-income customers [5] - Fast-food chains like IHOP and Denny's are seeing customers opt for cheaper menu items, while McDonald's benefits from reduced spending at more expensive restaurants by the middle class [5][6] - High-income consumers continue to show strong spending behavior, purchasing luxury items and services, as evidenced by a 32% revenue growth for the Swiss sneaker brand On [6][7] Group 3 - The beauty and medical aesthetics industry is also witnessing a shift, with lower-income customers extending treatment intervals or reducing dosage, indicating economic pressure on this demographic [7]