Where are UK shoppers getting their money from?
Over the last few months the news on the UK economy has been disappointing to say the least, with unemployment now at 2.5 million, companies going bust every day, heightened industrial action in the workplace and more and more businesses struggling to survive. When you also take into account record consumer debt, problems with the property market and a lack of disposable income across the UK it is a mystery as to where some UK shoppers have found the funds to go on a last minute shopping dash.
There are concerns, as there have been for some months, that many UK consumers are plunging themselves further and further into debt with some past the point of no return and becoming a little reckless. Whether this is correct or not remains to be seen, but we are sure to see a significant increase in credit card spending over the festive period and indeed many overdrafts and loans may be pushed to the limit. This comes at a time when UK banks are reducing liquidity in the personal and business banking arena and looking to reduce their risks at a time when the UK government is begging them to increase their liquidity.
We will soon find out where UK consumers have suddenly found these funds!
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