While there are signs that the economy is starting to recover, the appliance industry may be among the last sectors to see any green shoots. That’s according to the Consumer Reports Retail Index, one of several indices used to create the newly minted Consumer Report Index.

As reported in “Consumers Aren’t So Upbeat, New Consumer Reports Index Shows," retail data from the last 30 days shows that consumer purchases declined, and small appliances and large appliances posted the largest percentage drops out of the surveyed product categories comprising the index.

Over the next 30 days, appliance purchases are expected to dip again relative to the prior month. The Consumer Reports Index findings reinforce dismal shipping numbers for the appliance industry in June, when year-over-year shipments of major appliances fell 30 percent.

Appliance purchases relate to another figure from the Consumer Reports Index: the percentage of homeowners who have postponed a home-improvement project. That figure peaked in July, when 27 percent of respondents said they put a project on hold. For August, the percentage decreased to 26 percent.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Make the most of a limited budget with appliance-buying advice from more than 25,000 Consumer Reports readers and this list of five crucial home repairs that you shouldn’t ignore.