How long will the retail bonanza last?
In spite of forecast that UK retail spending would come under pressure around the festive period and the New Year sales may not be as lucrative as many had hoped, the initial signs are that UK consumers are still shopping in record numbers. Unfortunately this cannot last forever due in the main to the fact that disposable income in the UK is still under pressure and a great number are still concerned about their job security in 2010.
However, as we have mentioned on numerous occasions, one major element of any economic recovery in the UK will be consumer confidence and business confidence. At this point in time, against all traditional indicators, consumer confidence would appear to be booming and may well last longer into 2010 than many had expected. Quite where many consumers are getting their income from to spend in the shops remains to be seen, but worryingly there was an increase in credit card spending prior to the festive period, but will this stretch into the New Year period?
A number of the UK population appear willing to spend now and worry later, an action which could catch up with them in the second half of 2010 when bills need to be paid and money needs to be found.
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