Federal Programs to Measure Consumer Purchase Expectations, 1946–1973: A Post-Mortem

Abstract

In early 1973, the Bureau of the Census announced the discontinuation of the Survey of Consumer Buying Expectations. The Bureau of the Census had conducted quarterly surveys of buying plans since January 1959; first, through the Quarterly Survey of Consumer Buying Intentions (QSI) and, since 1967, through the Survey of Consumer Buying Expectations (CBE). This article describes the development of the Federal program and summarizes the evidence that led to the decision to discontinue the program.