X-Mas Retail Season.... Boom or Bust?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Interesting thread topic from over at GHPC..... What do you lot think?

I think boom, given the recent surge upwards in consumer confidence and the housing market. People feel wealthier again, and the recession is ending.

I also think that the retailers may well have seriously underestimated the demand levels and economic recovery when they did their ordering earlier this year, so I'd expect price rises and perhaps even shortages of popular items as we get into December.

thriftybabe

TBH I don't think it will be boom or bust! People are still concerned about what is going on but maybe not as much as this time last year!

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

thriftybabe wrote: »

TBH I don't think it will be boom or bust! People are still concerned about what is going on but maybe not as much as this time last year!

Well, no, probably not as boom as the best of years, but by comparison to last year, in the depths of the economic gloom, I think so.

Theres a lot of pent up frustration out there, recession fatigue if you will, and I think people are getting a bit sick of being sensible and frugal to be honest.

All this good news lately may well be enough of an excuse for people to let their hair down. And of course, if they do, it will help the wider economy immensely with a good start to next year.

Graham_Devon

I wouldn't say a "boom" compared to last year, and will say it will be down on most years over the last decade.

But better than last year.

ess0two

Suppliers as a marketing ploy limit/reduce levels of best selling toys at this time of year,just to spark a frenzy.

mewbie_2

More interested to see when the sales start. November?

chucky

it all depends on when the VAT rate reset to 'normal'

if it is returned to normal or increased people will buy everything they need before then.
if it isn't i think there will be a reduced spending compared to last year.

mewbie_2

chucky wrote: »

it all depends on when the VAT rate reset to 'normal'

if it is returned to normal or increased people will buy everything they need before then.
if it isn't i think there will be a reduced spending compared to last year.

How can I buy everything I need before the increase? A years worth of petrol? Can I buy my gas a year in advance?

Think of the size of the shopping trolley I'd need Chucky, even if I had the money to be able to afford it.

Graham_Devon

chucky wrote: »

it all depends on when the VAT rate reset to 'normal'

if it is returned to normal or increased people will buy everything they need before then.
if it isn't i think there will be a reduced spending compared to last year.

I was thinking I would do this.

For every thousand pound I spend up front buying everything I need, I will save £25! :j

Cleaver

mewbie wrote: »

How can I buy everything I need before the increase? A years worth of petrol? Can I buy my gas a year in advance?

You buy people petrol for Christmas? Blimey, I bet you're popular with your kids.

Mewkid: "Gee Dad, 4.5 litres of unleaded. Erm, thanks, I guess."
Mewbs: "You're welcome son. Don't drink it all at once."

chucky

mewbie wrote: »

How can I buy everything I need before the increase? A years worth of petrol? Can I buy my gas a year in advance?

Think of the size of the shopping trolley I'd need Chucky, even if I had the money to be able to afford it.

durables mewbie, durables...

that tv, the washing maching, that dishwasher, the fridge/freezer.
getting work done on your house even getting that extension put in - cheaper to get it done at 15% vat than 17.5% or even 20% vat!!

you make a good point about the shopping trolley - it would have to be a big one!!