DATA POINTS: Asia-Pacific consumers optimistic, but not spending

Asia-Pacific consumers remain the world’s most optimistic, despite Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan facing pressure from deteriorating global conditions, according to Nielsen’s latest consumer confidence study. The Q3 2012 Nielsen study of nearly 30,000 consumers across 58 countries showed Asia-Pacific markets make up six of the 10 most confident countries globally, with Indonesia, India and the Philippines at the top. Korea, on the other hand, showed notably negative sentiment.