American consumer confidence dipped slightly in January, with many consumers planning to purchase items such as homes, appliances, and automobiles, as U.S. businesses face a hit from inflation and Omicron. Consumer confidence in the economy generally remains high in the United States despite surging prices and scattered shortages of goods and services. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index survey from Jan. 25, which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their future outlook, fell to 113.8 percent in January, from 115.2 in December. The board survey showed that consumers’ concerns regarding inflation have moderated for a second straight month, after inflation fears hit a 13-year high in November. The board’s present situation index, which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor conditions, rose this month to 148.2 percent from 144.8 in December. The expectations index, based on consumers’ six-month outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, fell …