From Anxiety to Adaptation: Understanding Economic Uncertainty + Consumer Sentiment in 2025

Economic uncertainty has been a defining feature of American life for much of 2025. 

Material’s ongoing research, leveraging Online Anthropology and Spotlight, reveals key signals and shifts in sentiment as consumers navigate an uncertain economic landscape. Our latest report unpacks six months of data to illuminate three prevailing themes defining the consumer mindset – and their implications for brands moving forward.

What you’ll learn: 

• Details on the rise of budgeting and defensive spending behaviors in response to economic pressure

• Comparisons of key topics of consumer conversation between 2025, 2024 and 2023

• The nuances between consumers’ hesitancy to spend vs. inability to spend, and what they mean for brands