Movie theaters fared well throughout the recession years (2007-09), being one of the few leisure markets to post gains as Americans cut back on discretionary spending. However, after a slight increase in 2010, total revenue declined by 1.2% in 2011 with the fewest tickets sold since 1995 as nearly all age groups went to the movies less frequently.

Declining attendance has been attributed to a variety of reasons, including: film releases that lacked appeal among the critical youth segment of 12-24 year-olds, and studios pushing to reduce theatrical release windows; rising ticket prices; the increasing availability of movies online; and more homes with sophisticated home entertainment systems resulting in audiences waiting until the movies are available to view from the comfort of home.

The convenience of communication on the go led millions of American consumers to adopt mobile phones, and as these devices have gained power and features they are playing an increasingly important role in people’s lives. Cellphone ownership has now reached 92% in the U.S. according to Experian Simmons data, a large number of consumers are adopting multipurpose smartphones and a growing number are relying heavily on phones as their primary way to make calls and even connect to the web.

These trends have helped fuel continued growth in the $39.5 billion mobile phone industry. The industry is extremely competitive, with a number of well-funded global players fighting for dominance. Maintaining a leading position is further challenged by the rapid upgrade cycle seen in the U.S.—where consumers have grown accustomed to swapping out phones quite quickly thanks to carrier subsidies—as well as a complex ecosystem where manufacturers must partner with carriers, software platform companies and even app developers to create successful offerings.

In 2012, America is a country facing steep challenges. The economy still tops the list of personal concerns, but a range of other difficulties directly affect businesses across a spectrum of categories. Continuing high unemployment, declining median household incomes, decreasing disposable income, and listless consumer confidence are all factors contributing to deep concerns about many issues. These concerns include, but are not limited to, healthcare costs, standards of living, tax increases, and U.S. politics.

This report analyzes how these issues dictate American consumer behaviors and attitudesand offers in-depth examination of these and other factors in five distinct but overlapping sections:

“Some 57% of TV owners have purchased a new television in the past two years despite the recession, encouraged by the 2010 World Cup as well as the digital switchover. Television sales will be muted for the remainder of this year, as economic recovery remains rocky. The London 2012 Olympics, some of which will be broadcast in 3D by the BBC, may encourage consumer interest in buying 3DTVs in the run-up to the Games.”

– Cecilia Liao, Senior Technology Analyst

Teen consumers are an important part of the U.S. economy. Although teens curtailed spending due to the recession and its lingering effects, they held back less than other groups and were the quickest to return to the check-out counter when the market improved. Because most teens are dependent on their parents, they don’t have the burdens of credit card debt, student loan bills, and mortgage payments, which enables them to spend more impulsively and frivolously. Teens are in the process of forming their own identity and often make purchases to define themselves in the context of their peers. Therefore, the products and services that are best geared for teens are those that reflect a certain attitude or statement about the wearer or user. This report will closely examine: