YONKERS, N.Y. — Despite strong November retail sales, consumers still worry about what lies ahead.

According to a projection by the Consumer Reports Index, planned December spending is slightly down (11.8), versus the year-ago period (12.2). The waning confidence may be because of consumer financial difficulties, whether anticipated or unexpected, the report noted. More optimistic customers are those ages 18 years to 34 years, and those with household incomes of $100,000 or more, while pessimistic customers are those ages 65 years and older and those who have a household income less than $50,000.

"Despite all the talk and media attention about positive economic growth, consumers are telling us that they are not seeing or, more importantly, not feeling the difference," said Ed Farrell, a director of the Consumer Reports National Research Center. "The consumer may not be confident enough to continue spending through the holiday season. It may require deep discounting from retailers to get consumers back to the store in the final weeks of December."

The full Consumer Reports Index report can be found here.