People are spending a lot more time at home.

What they are cooking I don’t know? Grocery stores aren’t even that crowded anymore, even the ones that are not near public transportation. The gardening bandwagon has just started and it hasn’t been warm enough to plant anything in Northern Illinois, let alone harvest anything yet.

What has been happening?

Near college campuses, restaurants and coffee shops still seem to be doing a brisk business.

Some stores have been reducing the amount of items that they offer, which makes it seem as they are either going out of business or going for a high end empty shelf boutique look. There are fewer items on shelves and fewer choices.

I had gotten used to having a lot choices in stores when I went shopping. Now there aren’t as many things being carried because stores don’t want be stuck with the merchandise. Especially if it is perishable merchandise.

This Gallup Poll shows that consumer sentiment has improved but people are still holding on to their cash. Things are so uncertain many are just waiting to buy what is necessary. The data also showed that people were still spending, just spending less when they did go out or buy necessities.