Is the Recession over then ???

Graham_Devon

I'm in the same boat as fc123. Infact, would go as far as to say for me, nothing changed around me, and most people simply said "what recession". In all honesty, I guess I could say the same.

I went into my first recession as an adult thinking damn, this could be bad. Come out the other end thinking what was all the fuss about, nothings changed.

Do think we have been really protected from most effects in this recession though. Bankers and a small number of unfortunate families took the real hit, an unfair hit I guess (bar the bankers). But such a small minority taking the jhit has enabled others to just shrugg it off.

Recession is over, at least the one just gone is. I can't for the life of me figure out how we can just simply get through that with such ease and a couple of plasters and not suffer a bit later. Which is why I still believe the suffering is yet to start really for most of us. Were still well and truly enjoying the countries credit card and getting high on the medicine.

treliac

The towns and high streets I pass through seem to have ever more shops empty and boarded up. Finding parking spaces to shop seems easier than ever. I don't see any sign of increasing confidence.

geoffky

recessions only happen when you get caught up in one.. i reckon this one cost me a few quid in lost interest....

new_home_owner_3

geoffky wrote: »

recessions only happen when you get caught up in one.. i reckon this one cost me a few quid in lost interest....

yeah rightttttt:cool:;):D

1984ReturnsForReal_2

treliac wrote: »

The towns and high streets I pass through seem to have ever more shops empty and boarded up. Finding parking spaces to shop seems easier than ever. I don't see any sign of increasing confidence.

A lot of empty shops in the towns around me.

About 1 in 10-15

fc123

treliac wrote: »

The towns and high streets I pass through seem to have ever more shops empty and boarded up. Finding parking spaces to shop seems easier than ever. I don't see any sign of increasing confidence.

I feel the UK is going through another cycle of change...prompted by internet selling and the high margin, chain stores (over all sectors, whether coffee, clothes or electricals) being able to pay far higher rents than most indie traders.

Empty shops in some towns (like my own SE London suburb) are not IMHO a sign of the recession but a sign of changing times and habits.

Cleaver

fc123 wrote: »

I feel the UK is going through another cycle of change...prompted by internet selling and the high margin, chain stores (over all sectors, whether coffee, clothes or electricals) being able to pay far higher rents than most indie traders.

Empty shops in some towns (like my own SE London suburb) are not IMHO a sign of the recession but a sign of changing times and habits.

That's a very interesting point. I also feel that we're at a turning point when it comes to consumer stuff, although I'm obviously no expert like you FC.

I think the economy is obviously one factor, but another must be that there are so many other models for a business now rather than just a high street shop. I also get the impression that people are going to get sick of chain stuff soon, but that's just a feeling. I just have a hunch that over the next few years this recession may mean that more people realise that 'stuff' isn't the be all and end all, and that all this uniformity in retail and commerce isn't a good thing. You see it a bit with the banks, and I think people will start to once again yearn for more independant places. But as I say, just a hopeful hunch I guess.

It will be interesting to see whether globalisation and big, worldwide businesses is the future that we all want and get used to, or whether we look back at the noughties as a strange decade when we somehow thought that having 8 million Subways, Tescos, Starbucks, Primarks and Pizza Expresses rather than interesting, local businesses was a good idea.

Thrugelmir

treliac wrote: »

The towns and high streets I pass through seem to have ever more shops empty and boarded up. Finding parking spaces to shop seems easier than ever. I don't see any sign of increasing confidence.

Not sure this so much a sign of the down turn being over, as people keeping their wallets and purses closed. Along with internet shopping changing habits.

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as fc123. Infact, would go as far as to say for me, nothing changed around me, and most people simply said "what recession". In all honesty, I guess I could say the same.

I went into my first recession as an adult thinking damn, this could be bad. Come out the other end thinking what was all the fuss about, nothings changed.

I think that is the same as all recessions, they only fubar you if you are one of the unlucky ones to lose a job.
95% of people just carry on as before.
I remember the 80's one as much worse as that one did affect my family more.

nearlynew

Cleaver wrote: »

That's a very interesting point. I also feel that we're at a turning point when it comes to consumer stuff, although I'm obviously no expert like you FC.

I think the economy is obviously one factor, but another must be that there are so many other models for a business now rather than just a high street shop. I also get the impression that people are going to get sick of chain stuff soon, but that's just a feeling. I just have a hunch that over the next few years this recession may mean that more people realise that 'stuff' isn't the be all and end all, and that all this uniformity in retail and commerce isn't a good thing. You see it a bit with the banks, and I think people will start to once again yearn for more independant places. But as I say, just a hopeful hunch I guess.

It will be interesting to see whether globalisation and big, worldwide businesses is the future that we all want and get used to, or whether we look back at the noughties as a strange decade when we somehow thought that having 8 million Subways, Tescos, Starbucks, Primarks and Pizza Expresses rather than interesting, local businesses was a good idea.

You're right.

Localisation not globalisation is the coming trend.


But it won't be because "the people" want it. It will be out of necessity.

I would guess that most of the people who frequent those establishments you mention don't know anything different and would like things to just go on and on as they are.
With no thought to how it is possible to continue.



(I love it when my post is at the top of a page)