Spending Potential Index
Consumer Spending Potential Index Comparisons
ESRI integrates the household spending data
into a comprehensive database of consumer
expenditures. Data are then reported by product or
service category in terms of a Spending Potential
Index (SPI). The SPI compares the average
expenditure for a specific product or service within
a region like the Coastal Bend to the average
amount spent nationally. An index of 100 is the U.S.
average. As a reference, an SPI of 130 suggests
that the average spending by local consumers is
30 percent above the national average.
Review of South Texas Business Conditions
CONSUMER MARK ET
In pure dollar terms, consumers in Corpus
Christi and the Coastal Bend spend about 15
percent less than the state or national average.
One key factor that affects the amount of consumer Source: ESRI Business Analyst Online.
spending is disposable, or after-tax, income.
Households in the Corpus Christi metro area
for local residents going to fast-food restaurants more than 14
earn on average 14 percent less than the U.S. households do,
times per month is 105, and the readings for some popular fastand households in the Coastal Bend as a whole earn 18 percent
food chains other than Whataburger are as high as 160. With an
less. Because the SPI is not adjusted for this income gap, the SPI
SPI at 180, Whataburger is, of course, a hometown favorite.
should be interpreted relative to local consumers’ purchasing
power if the objective is to gauge their spending behavior relative
Either with or without the consideration of differences in
to that outside the region. For instance, the SPI’s for food and
income, it is clear that consumers in the Coastal Bend spend
entertainment among regional consumers are on a par with their
substantially less on apparel, particularly footwear, perhaps due
incomes, which are 80–85% of the national average. In other
to the warm climate of South Texas. Households outside the
words, while the typical local consumer is spending less on food
metro area also tend to spend less on financial services, such
and entertainment than the U.S. average in dollar terms, she
as banking, and travel. Those rural households are less likely to
is allocating about the same amounts of her income to those
subscribe to banking services, or to own stocks and mutual funds.
expenses as the average U.S. consumer does.
On the other hand, Coastal Bend households, particularly in the
metro area, are more likely to have an auto loan and other types
Within the food category, the SPI is particularly high for fastof loans, including a home mortgage.
food outlets, full-service restaurants and steakhouses. The index
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