Consumer confidence among affluent buyers improved in the
first quarter of the 2011, Unity Marketing reported.

The group’s Luxury Consumption Index (LCI) improved by four
points to reach 76.1 for the first quarter 2011.

“The uptick in this quarter’s LCI reveals a more positive
outlook among affluent consumers about the economy at large, as well as
increased optimism about their personal economic situation,” said Pam Danziger,
president of Unity Marketing, in a statement.

Added Tom Bodenberg, Unity’s chief consumer economist: “While we may not see the boom times of 2003–2007, the current LCI shows
an increase from the previous quarter, and may signify that the recent bump in
retail demand may be sustainable.”

JCK