Has the UK retail market discount season hit rock bottom?
Figures from the high street suggest that shoppers have been out in record numbers over the last two days as the stand-off between retailers and consumers comes to a conclusion. There is no doubt that the consumer has won the day with yet more substantial discounts on offer throughout the UK with some price slashed by over 50%. Quite where many consumers are getting their funds from remains to be seen but many experts fear a further increase in personal debt.
The conclusion of the retail and consumer head-to-head has come too late to save many on the high street with a rumoured 15 administrators ready and waiting for the call in the New Year. While the names of the rumoured 15 companies in trouble have not been publicised we have been promised some shocks. Many shops are now trading at a loss in order to be able to survive and bring in cash flow over the vital New Year period.
While the early signs for the VAT reduction had been promising there would appear to have been little follow-through over the last few weeks much to the disappointment of both retailers and the government.
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