Words like subprime, Bear Stearns and capital ‘R’ Recession are being whispered around the water cooler but there’s fresh reason to worry about consumer confidence in the US of A according to research from Changewave.

With little expectation of improved economic conditions, consumers look to be steeling themselves or a would-be recession with the biggest dip in confidence since 2002. Surveyed 18-25 year olds where investigated with regards to electronic gadgets and 19% of respondents indicated they would purchase more in the coming 90 days in comparison to 33% who would spend less, a huge blow for the retail and electronics sectors.

Among the 4,427 consumers surveyed in February the hardest hit products were LCD TV’s (down 4pts), digital cameras (down 4 pts) and cell phones (down 6pts).

Rocky times ahead for electronics manufacturers and distributors?