Why a Possible Drop in High-Income Confidence Matters for Supplier Inclusion in 2026
Recent macroeconomic data point to a potential shift that should be on the radar of every corporate procurement and supplier inclusion leader: confidence among high-income consumers may be falling, and history suggests this is often an early warning sign of broader economic slowdown.
According to Morning Consult, households earning $100,000 or more—who have been the primary drivers of U.S. spending growth over the past year—have seen consumer sentiment decline by more than 12% in just the past month. This magnitude of decline is unusual outside of recessionary periods and is notable because it is not being driven by a stock market crash, but by rising labor-market anxiety, pay-loss expectations, and uncertainty tied to automation and AI.
Why This Matters for Corporate America
High-income consumers account for a disproportionate share of discretionary spending. When their confidence weakens, companies typically respond by reassessing revenue expectations, tightening procurement decisions, and focusing more intently on cost control and risk management.
In short, this is the phase of the cycle when resilience matters most.
What This Means for Supplier Inclusion
Periods of economic uncertainty often test supplier inclusion programs—but they also reveal their strategic value.
Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) are frequently:
- More agile in responding to changing demand
- Highly competitive on cost and speed
- Deeply connected to local and regional markets
- Critical to supply-chain flexibility and continuity
As corporate leaders look to stabilize operations in a more cautious demand environment, maintaining strong relationships with MBEs is not just aligned with values—it is aligned with business performance.
At the same time, MBEs are more exposed to shifts in payment cycles and contracting activity, making corporate commitment and intentional engagement especially important during periods like this.
Leading organizations are embedding inclusive sourcing into enterprise decision-making, linking it to:
- Lower costs through greater supplier competition
- Reduced supply-chain and geographic concentration risk
- Revenue growth by sourcing closer to customers and markets
- Stronger workforce alignment and retention
The Strategic Takeaway
This moment calls for focus, not retrenchment.
Companies that continue to invest in inclusive sourcing during periods of uncertainty are better positioned to:
- Manage supply-chain risk
- Preserve competition and innovation
- Support economic stability in the communities where they operate
- Emerge stronger when growth resumes
For NMSDC and its members, the message is clear: supplier inclusion is a core growth and resilience strategy—especially when confidence begins to crack at the top of the income scale.
As we move further into 2026, NMSDC will continue to emphasize supplier inclusion as a business imperative that supports corporate performance, strengthens communities, and positions both corporations and MBEs for long-term success.
