Consumer Sentiment Report: October 2025 - How US Households Are Talking About Inflation, Value and the Cost of Living
The Consumer Sentiment Report: October 2025 reveals an America still reeling from the long shadow of inflation. Across millions of social posts, people voiced anger and exhaustion over prices that “went up and never came back down.” Families described feeling cornered by relentless costs in housing, groceries, healthcare, and utilities, with even higher earners living paycheck to paycheck. Consumers are adapting through extreme price sensitivity—embracing coupons, switching brands, and cutting non-essentials—while expressing deep skepticism toward policymakers and corporations alike. For brands and leaders, the message is unmistakable: the modern consumer demands transparency, fairness, and proof of value in every purchase.
November 8, 2025
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Restaurant Loyalty in a Squeezed Economy: What 18.9 Million Online Conversations Showed Us
In a strained 2025 economy, 18.9 million online conversations reveals that restaurant loyalty now hinges on one question: is it worth it right now? Consumers praised QSR and pizza chains like Domino’s, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A for speed, deals, and perceived value, while fast-casual favorites such as Chipotle and Cava faced growing backlash over $18–$25 meals that no longer felt justified. This shift highlights a pragmatic consumer mindset where affordability, portion fairness, and speed outweigh novelty — signaling that the next wave of restaurant loyalty will be earned not through brand heat, but through clear value and everyday credibility.
November 4, 2025
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PayPal (PYPL) Q3 Consumer Analysis: Trust, Security, and Shifting Expectations
PayPal’s Q3 narrative revealed a pivotal shift from optimism about convenience to deeper conversations about trust, transparency, and control. While total mentions and unique voices grew, discussions increasingly centered on account limitations, security holds, and dispute resolution—underscoring consumers’ desire for reliability over novelty. The rise in scam-related chatter highlighted growing vigilance, even as PayPal’s brand familiarity continued to inspire confidence. Meanwhile, challengers like Wise, Venmo, and Cash App gained momentum through their perceived advantages in speed, fees, and clarity. The result is a landscape where PayPal remains trusted but scrutinized—a symbol of digital payments maturing under consumer demand for accountability and seamless support.
October 30, 2025
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Meta (META) Q3 Consumer Analysis: AI Friction and Privacy Concerns Shape the Conversation
Meta’s third-quarter consumer landscape paints a picture of rising visibility but waning enthusiasm. While online mentions grew nearly 10% from Q2, engagement and positivity declined as users voiced growing unease over AI automation, privacy, and platform transparency. The shift from giveaways and entertainment to deeper debates around governance and data handling signals a pivotal change in how audiences perceive Meta’s evolving ecosystem. Despite maintaining dominance in reach and integration, the company now faces a more critical public conversation—one defined by trust, control, and the uneasy intersection of innovation and intrusion.
October 30, 2025
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CPI Insights: September 2025 — Inflation Anxiety and the Blame Game on Social Media
RILA’s analysis of over 16 million U.S. social media conversations surrounding the September 2025 CPI report uncovers a nation grappling with economic fatigue and distrust. Beyond rising numbers, Americans see inflation as a symptom of systemic policy failure — with blame falling heavily on government spending, immigration costs, and tariffs. Healthcare, housing, and education top the list of pain points, symbolizing structural failures that go far beyond temporary price spikes. The public mood is overwhelmingly negative, marked by anger, blame, and a sense of entrapment as consumers feel policy decisions — not just market forces — are eroding their economic stability and future prospects.
October 27, 2025
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Early Holiday Spending Sentiment in October: How Consumers Are Feeling
As the 2025 holiday season approaches, consumer conversations reveal a fascinating mix of optimism and caution. While inflation and economic pressures weigh heavily on many households, shoppers are prioritizing meaningful experiences and emotional value over discounts and mass-market products. Parents, in particular, are determined to make the holidays special for their children, even if it means turning to flexible payment options like buy now, pay later or adjusting travel plans toward affordable domestic trips. The overall sentiment suggests a redefinition of holiday joy — one centered on authenticity, connection, and creative budgeting — offering brands a clear opportunity to engage with purpose and empathy this festive season.
October 24, 2025
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Top U.S. Consumer Concerns — Last 30 Days (RILA Global Consulting Analysis)
Over the past month, American consumers have been caught between economic pressure and cautious hope. According to RILA’s analysis of 25 million online conversations, tariffs and inflation dominate public discourse — shaping a sense of financial vulnerability that spans demographics and languages. English-speaking Americans decry tariffs as a hidden tax, while Spanish-speaking communities focus on agricultural fallout and global trade risks. Inflation’s reach now extends beyond groceries to healthcare, deepening distrust in political leadership. Meanwhile, AI-driven automation fuels job insecurity, especially among younger generations who see innovation as both opportunity and threat. Yet, amid the strain, moments of optimism — from EV purchases to financial literacy — suggest that while Americans feel squeezed, they’re still seeking control and clarity in a shifting economic landscape.
October 22, 2025
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Why Social Listening is Critical for Nuclear Energy Discussions
Nuclear energy remains one of the most emotionally charged and technically complex sectors in the global energy debate, where public perception often outweighs scientific facts. This article explores how social listening has become essential for industry leaders, policymakers, and energy organizations to understand real-time public sentiment, track misinformation, and engage communities proactively. Unlike traditional research, which captures static snapshots of opinion, social listening uncovers nuanced, rapidly evolving conversations across social media and forums, allowing stakeholders to detect concerns early, address fears around safety and waste, and craft targeted, empathetic communication strategies. By integrating these insights with market research, nuclear energy organizations can foster trust, shape narratives responsibly, and position themselves strategically in the transition to net-zero emissions.
October 22, 2025
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Why Hospitality Brands Can’t Ignore TikTok Travel Trends
TikTok has transformed the way travelers discover and choose destinations, turning viral videos into powerful drivers of bookings and brand visibility. For hospitality brands, from luxury resorts to boutique hotels, ignoring TikTok trends is no longer an option — these platforms provide real-time signals of traveler interests, desires, and frustrations. By combining social listening with traditional market research, brands can anticipate emerging trends, tailor content to viral hashtags, and convert engagement into bookings. RILA specializes in turning TikTok insights into actionable strategies, helping hotels and travel brands bridge the gap between online virality and real-world revenue while staying ahead of the competition in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
October 22, 2025
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