Consumers won't be spending the US economy out of recession any time soon: Despite positive news that retail sales are improving, consumers are still concerned about their jobs and remain cautious in their shopping decisions, according to a survey by America's Research Group and UBS Global Equity Research.

Most consumers are shopping out of necessity: 60.8% of heads of families surveyed say they shop only when they need something, while 39.2% say they can afford to shop for fun, down from the 68% who said so 10 years ago.

Among the heads of households surveyed:

• 30.6% say they buy only necessities.
• 23.4% say they buy items only on sale.
• 87.9% are not using their credit cards for purchases so they don't accumulate debt.

Consumer spending makes up about 70% of the US economy—so economists keep a close eye on income and spending, as well as consumer sentiment—to gauge the economic recovery.

Employment worries also remain high: Most family heads now expect to work three to seven years longer than they did just four years ago.

Although they don't expect layoffs, only 59.5% of family heads are excited about any job prospects, and just 25.9% are seeing overtime at their workplace.

One in five heads of households (20.9%) say their debts are a big problem; only 32.5% say debt is not a problem.

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"Families have little disposable income today and every day brings new problems that raise doubts and fears about the economy and their financial futures," said C. Britt Beemer, CEO and founder of America's Research Group (ARG).

"Until job prospects improve considerably, consumers will continue their unenthusiastic shopping behavior."

About the data: Findings are from the ARG/UBS Consumer Mind Reader Survey, which consisted of 1,000 telephone interviews conducted May 1 to 4, 2010.