Italians’ purchasing intentions begin to decline again: in February the index monitored by the monthly Findomestic Observatory recorded a drop of 5.7%, returning to autumn levels after the brief recovery at the end of the year. A setback that is part of a context in which almost four out of ten families continue to consider their economic situation ‘quite or very problematic’. In this scenario, the use of credit is confirmed as a useful support: 36% of those who have financed a purchase in the last three years declare that without financing they would have given up that good or service.
Since 2023, 41% of Italians have used at least one form of credit, especially for the purchase of vehicles, household appliances, consumer electronics, furniture or to have liquidity useful for managing daily expenses. Only a minority, 26%, would have made the purchase anyway even without resorting to credit, 38% would have had to look for another solution by asking friends or relatives for help, while 36% would have given up goods and services, in particular ceremonies (46%), medical or wellness expenses (43%), furniture (42%) and vehicles (40%). The first variable that Italians pay attention to, at the time of signing up, concerns the possible presence of additional costs (4 Italians out of 10), followed by the amount of the installment (37% of preferences) and the offer rate (34%).
According to data from the Findomestic Observatory for February, almost all the sectors monitored do not show significant changes compared to January despite a general decline in purchasing intentions. Only the desire for travel and holidays remains with 54% of those interviewed thinking of organizing a trip in the next three months, up 1.3 percentage points compared to January. On the other hand, the trend of do-it-yourself is of the opposite sign, recording a drop of five percentage points, as is that of sports equipment (-3 pp). Small appliances (-2.9 pp) and large household appliances (-2 pp) also lost ground, while the auto sector showed a slight decline overall. While remaining a project in the intentions of more than four out of ten Italians, furniture also lost a percentage point compared to the previous month. The domestic energy efficiency sector remains essentially unchanged as does the world of technology, with the sole exception of TVs, which are growing slightly (+0.8).
“Listening to the sample – comments Marco Tarantola, CEO and general manager of Findomestic Banca – it emerges that for seven out of ten Italians, when activating a loan, it is essential to rely on important and recognized companies and, in particular, on expert consultants (64%), capable of accompanying the customer in a fully sustainable choice. Only a minority believe they can independently manage the choice between the different credit options. Furthermore, 60% consider a loan with reasonable rates as real support for making important purchases for their family confirming how consumer credit is today a fundamental economic lever for the country”, concludes Tarantola.
“February shows a still cautious country – adds Claudio Bardazzi, head of the Findomestic Observatory – with slowed consumption and an economic situation that influences daily choices. Concern about inflation remains dominant and still growing, followed by concern about purchasing power, stable at the levels of a month ago. Even the share of families who perceive themselves to be in economic difficulty remains stable at 39% and only slightly better than the 42% recorded in December. In this context, only 29% believe that today it is a good time to make important purchases for the family.”
