consumer

The spokesperson said: "ZSL, whose income is partially generated by visitors to its zoos, has seen the impact of decreased consumer confidence on visitor behaviour, with guests spending less this summer."

The report also expects consumer consumption to weaken following a surge in electric-vehicle purchases in the third quarter due to the expiration of federal tax credits last month.

That strategy, which is just being implemented, has sought to entice insurers to write policies in fire-prone neighborhoods, but has been criticized by some consumer advocates as a giveaway to the insurance industry.

Analysis by a consumer advocacy group in June found several popular and expensive sunscreens did not provide the protection claimed by their makers.

He said the "change of consumer behaviour" was clear as last year marked the first time 50% of adults used mobile payments at least once a month - up from 34% in 2023.