From the first quarter of 2008 through the second quarter of 2009, real consumer spending plunged at a 1.8% average annual rate. In the past, when discretionary spending on items such as motor vehicles, furniture, appliances, and travel was deferred, a surge of “pent-up demand” quickly followed.
在大衰退的影响下，消费经历了前所未有的下降，从这个角度判断，消费的萎靡趋势更加触目惊心。从2008年一季度到2009年二季度，实际消费支出平均年增长率为-1.8%。在过去，当花在汽车、家具、电器和旅游方面的自由支配支出被推迟时，“被压抑的需求”会马上爆发。