The index that measures the intention to buy families (ICF) was up 0.2% in January, reaching 104.9 points. Despite following the discharge trend observed in December 2024, the indicator dropped 0.9% compared to January 2024. The data were released on Thursday (30) by the National Confederation of Trade of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC).
The ICF is an indicator that measures the potential of trade sales, calculated monthly by CNC. The results measure the degree of consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction. When the index, which goes up to 200 points, is below 100 points, indicates dissatisfaction. When it is above 100 points, it is indicative of satisfaction.
The score observed in January, therefore, indicates satisfaction. According to CNC, despite the currently challenge, consumers are confident in the future.
According to the Confederation, the most income families and women were more cautious about consuming. Families that earn over 10 minimum wages (equivalent to R $ 15,180) had a 0.2% retraction in January compared to December 2024. The lowest income advanced 0.3%.
In the annual comparison, among women, consumer intention fell 1.4% in comparison between January 2025 with January 2024. Among men, this drop was 0.4%. The reasons, according to CNC, are restrictions on access to credit and professional perspectives.
Access to credit
The ICF is calculated based on a questionnaire applied to 18,000 Brazilians and analyzes seven indicators that reflect consumer satisfaction. Most components recorded discharge, except for indicators that measure people’s satisfaction with current employment, current income and access to credit, the latter being the highest reduction of 0.8%.
In CNC’s analysis, access to credit remains a sensitive point. “The increase in interest impacts consumption, because of the importance of credit for the warming of trade,” says CNC economist João Marcelo Costa.
Already the indicator that investigates consumer satisfaction in relation to the moment for the consumption of durable goods advanced 1%. The indicator, however, is 72.4 points, which also indicates dissatisfaction, despite the growth compared to December.
Labor market
Despite registering a 0.3%drop, current employment remains ICF’s best rated ICF subscriber, demonstrating that consumers are confident in the job market.
The professional perspective indicator for the coming months is still high, with an increase of 0.3% in January, which, according to CNC, demonstrates hope of families in better economic conditions. This indicator reached 114.2 points.
Comparing January 2025 with January 2024, the professional perspective indicator fell this year of 2.9%. Considered only women, the fall was even higher, 4.1%, against that of 2% of men. Highlighting, according to Costa, that historically, women face additional challenges, which can intensify caution in the face of a more challenging economic scenario.
In addition, according to the economist, most Brazilian families have women as main provocators, “it is natural that they adopt a more prudent stance,” says CNC analysis.
