Newspapers and the economy

olly300

Today travelling to and from work I happened to pick up two London free papers - The Metro and The London Paper. Reading through both I noticed that both stated how this weekend the retail sector was suddenly doing better and that shops had really been busy.

Now on Saturday I made a trip to Blue Water. There were not many parking spaces but I noticed that unlike previous years the centre was not rammed and that it averaged out as one carrier bag per person.

Has the media particularly the newspapers finally realised that they have helped damage the economy with their stories? Has there been some political interference? Or am I just being cynical?

taurusgb

It was noticable that when we were shopping last Saturday all car parks were full both in town and in the large out of town shopping complex - and the shops were full of people. BUT there were no queues at the tills, credit cards were going through the machines straight away with no hold ups, and there was little sign of shoppers laden with bags.

lostinrates

taurusgb wrote: »

It was noticable that when we were shopping last Saturday all car parks were full both in town and in the large out of town shopping complex - and the shops were full of people. BUT there were no queues at the tills, credit cards were going through the machines straight away with no hold ups, and there was little sign of shoppers laden with bags.

Our experiences this weekend were different. We only stopped on place to do minor shoping, but also went out for other reasons in places where the public parking is often usd by shoppers. In all places we got a space easily. We oohed and arghed at the quiet-for-a-weekend shops and we wondered if everyone is hanging on for last minute buying hoping prices will drop even further.

scousethife

Shopping? lol

Theres this thing called the interenetwork where you go shopping by going no where.

No driving
no queing
no heavy bags
no crowds
no hassle

Try it you'll be amazed how stupid you were to go shopping

lostinrates

scousethife wrote: »

Shopping? lol

Theres this thing called the interenetwork where you go shopping by going no where.

No driving Generally I like driving
no queing There are no quese ATM
no heavy bags I'm married...that is under his job description:D
no crowds not so many right now, but seeing people occasionally is good for one...especially if lik me you can go a few days seeing very few people.
no hassle...but a bit of nice stretch of the legs is fun too.

Try it you'll be amazed how stupid you were to go shopping

Reply in text (but had to write a message )

themanbearpig

olly300 wrote: »

Has the media particularly the newspapers finally realised that they have helped damage the economy with their stories? Has there been some political interference? Or am I just being cynical?

What? Do you propose they should be governed to keep their mouths shut, and keep the public even further from the reality of the world. We already get a watered down version of current events, and the media havn't really unveiled just how bad this recession/depression could be.
Most people I've spoken to in the 'real world', and in conversations on this forum seem to want to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to questioning what's happening.
The more people are the exposed to the problems we are facing the better.

fc123

We had the best day,turnover wise, for months last Saturday.

Sometimes we can be really busy...but not taking much ££ and other times, calm and quiet but with ''Top Quality Customers''...love the goods, buy several things and their cards aren't declined.

Davesnave

Like a lot of shops, the one where DD works is in the midst of a pre-Christmas sale. Apparently it's been manic at the weekend, but pretty subdued otherwise, meaning nothing special overall.

DD says she detects a fall in the quality of the children's shoes new for this season. Not impressed and feels the parents won't be either. Mumblings about corners being cut etc, etc.

Kez100

I think whatever the total figures this year - be they up or down - the percentage spent online will increase and the shopping centres decrease.

I have shopped mainly online for two or three years but this year I have done every present online. Everything. I don't intend to go into town at all for presents. Amazon and free delivery under £5 made a big difference to me. I have had a lot from them.

Ironically, my usual online christmas food shop will be done this year in store as I pick up offers from across the supermarkets, rather than do one big online tesco delivery and pick up my Morrissons free shopping voucher.

olly300

themanbearpig wrote: »

What? Do you propose they should be governed to keep their mouths shut, and keep the public even further from the reality of the world.

Nope I am speculating that someone in government has told them to do stories on how well the discounting is going.

themanbearpig wrote: »

We already get a watered down version of current events, and the media havn't really unveiled just how bad this recession/depression could be.

The average reading age of this country is 13. The main stream media only cater for that.

If you venture to other boards where people ask questions you will find things like people not understanding what an SVR is, how to read small print properly in contracts, what a key facts document is, that 100% mortgages don't exist etc.

You can actually find proper information from the media if you read the better financial papers/magazines. Most people can't be bothered and quite a lot of them if they could be bothered wouldn't understand it or have a clue to find out how to understand it.

themanbearpig wrote: »

Most people I've spoken to in the 'real world', and in conversations on this forum seem to want to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to questioning what's happening.
The more people are the exposed to the problems we are facing the better.

Lots of people in the real world still believe their bank is their friend and won't lend them more money then they can afford to pay back. :rolleyes:

SGE1

Not my experience. Everytime I try to shop, I get smothered.

Heal's is still too expensive, and I still cannot afford a pari of Gucci shoes.