“This year has seen a number of high-profile product recalls impacting everything from pet food to children’s toys, and it is important for manufacturers and retailers to understand how this may have impacted the beliefs and buying behaviors of the American public,” said Brian Bloom, chair of the Consumer Practice Group and vice president of Cleveland-based public relations firm Liggett Stashower. “This high level of consumer confidence in American-made products could prove to be very beneficial for domestic businesses.”
The Worldcom poll shows that Americans seem guarded when making purchasing decisions about non-USA made products. Six in 10 (59 percent) respondents felt that toys manufactured in other countries are not regulated adequately for safety. However, about eight in 10 (82 percent) people felt that the recalls will not stop Americans from buying foreign-made products, at least temporarily.
Thirty-nine percent of Americans believe the U.S. government should be responsible for regulating the safety of products brought into the country, while 33 percent say the onus should fall on the manufacturer.
So, which foreign-made products do Americans think are generally regulated for safety enough to be sold in the United States? Automobiles, which came in at an overwhelming 83 percent, and consumer electronics, which are regarded by 80 percent of respondents, are considered safe buys.
But the question is, will consumers be buying? When asked how comfortable respondents were with their current state of their personal finances, 71 percent felt “very” or “somewhat” comfortable and just 27 percent felt uncomfortable. However, only 12 percent felt this is a good time to buy items they want and need. Forty-seven percent felt someplace in-between and 38 percent think this would be a good time to wait on those purchases.
