Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are slightly less confident about the economy but are feeling better than last year.

The August 2012 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to 39.2, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The August reading is down from 39.7 in July. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 35.1.