Upside of cautious economy: Lower gas prices

Trend Observation:  A story in today’s edition of USA Today suggests that gasoline prices could stay low—or fall even lower—between now and fall.  That’s a far cry from what we were hearing last winter, when there were concerns about stability in the Middle East and problems with major refineries.  Click here to see the story.

Marketing Implications:  Some businesses might profit from going after this “commuter’s dividend” of lower gas prices.  Many drivers anticipated the kind of peak gas prices we saw in the summer of 2008, when the average price per gallon hit $4.11.  With each commute costing less, the consumer might feel as if they have a windfall of found money in their pocket at the end of each week or month.

Any ideas about what they should spend it on?

Mike Anderson, for The Marketing Mind consumer trends blog, service of The Center for Sales Strategy.