Key Takeaways
- European consumers are increasingly willing to abandon U.S. products due to tariffs, with a recent ECB poll indicating a strong preference shift over price concerns.
- Accenture (ACN) is set to acquire French Orlade Group, significantly bolstering its capabilities in managing complex capital projects across critical sectors like energy, defense, and aerospace, addressing a market where only 6% of projects meet deadlines.
- SoftBank Corp ((/stock/9434)) is collaborating with Meta (META) and other partners to develop a new submarine cable system that will enhance connectivity between Japan and Singapore, with NEC contracted as the system supplier.
European shoppers are demonstrating a notable shift in purchasing behavior, with a recent European Central Bank (ECB) poll revealing a strong inclination to cut spending on U.S. products in response to tariffs. The ECB's Consumer Expectations Survey (CES), conducted in March 2025, found that European consumers are "very willing to actively move away from U.S. products and services." The median substitution score reached 80 on a scale of 0 to 100, indicating a high readiness to seek alternatives.
This willingness to substitute is driven more by a change in preference (43.7% of respondents) than by price increases (38.1%), suggesting a potential long-term structural shift in consumer habits. Interestingly, the survey indicated that higher-income households showed an even greater propensity to switch, prioritizing preference over affordability. These findings contrast with similar surveys in the U.S., where consumers reported a tendency to stockpile goods in anticipation of tariff-induced price hikes.
In corporate news, global professional services company Accenture (ACN) has announced its intent to acquire the French Orlade Group, including its subsidiaries Op2 and pmO. This strategic acquisition aims to significantly expand Accenture's capabilities in advisory and project management services for large-scale capital projects. The move will integrate approximately 200 professionals into Accenture's infrastructure and capital projects practice within Industry X, enhancing its offerings for clients in vital sectors such as energy, utilities, rail, aerospace, and defense.
The acquisition comes at a crucial time, as research from Accenture highlights that only 6% of organizations successfully deliver capital projects on or ahead of schedule, with two-thirds facing delays that add an average of 29% in labor costs and penalty fees. Koen Deryckere, Accenture France & Benelux market unit lead, emphasized that the acquisition would strengthen Accenture's position in France and boost its ability to help clients reinvent the planning and execution of large-scale projects.
Meanwhile, SoftBank Corp ((/stock/9434)) is making strides in global connectivity, announcing a collaboration with Meta (META) and other partners to develop a new submarine cable system. This ambitious project will establish a critical high-speed data link connecting Japan and Singapore. NEC has been contracted as the system supplier for this significant infrastructure undertaking, underscoring the ongoing investment in robust digital networks across Asia.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.