One positive sign is consumption growth.

FORBES: INTERVIEW: U.S. To Continue To Grow, Albeit Slowly, In Second Quarter -- Briefing Research's Rosen

But consumption is consumption and a welcome sign for the industry as Beverage Marketing reported a 1.4% increase.

FORBES: Something Beer Brands Can Drink To

There is no sign of a limit to the global consumption of gum.

BBC: NEWS | Business | The chewing gum war

The rise in the proportion of drinkers and in binge drinking could be a sign that society is more accepting of alcohol consumption (and overconsumption), says Dr. Stephen Bahr, Ph.

CNN: More Americans drinking (alcohol)

This dietary shift has had the greatest impact on human water consumption over the past 30 years and is showing no sign of abating.

UNESCO: World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

One thing for sure, though, if this trend does continue, it suggests that consumers are retrenching, not a good sign for an economy where 70% of economic growth is dependent on consumption.

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