Recession...what recession?
| Related: | Entertainment & Leisure•Shopping•Store Sales |
I know we aren't actually in a recession in technical terms but I was in Central London today and visited a number of the large stores in Oxford Street (browsing) and was amazed by how busy the tills were. In fact, I was amazed by the lengthy queue's at the tills.
With many retailers already saying that their sale goods were sold straight after Christmas, I noted the shleves were decidedly bare of discounted items and so what was being purchased were goods at normal retail prices.
Places like John Lewis, House of Fraser and Selfridges were extremely busy with actual shoppers and not with those just looking. Coffee shops, cafe's and high end eateries were also bursting with customers.
I know Oxford Street is certainly no barometer of the rest of the country but London pre-Olympics is certainly immune from the economic difficulties confronting the rest of the country.
Retailers were fearful that the economic gloom would impact greatly upon their sales in the run up to Christmas but some appear to have done very well.
What are others witnessing across the country?
Responses (5)
Alas Parchester I have not seen anything like this in the south-east ... I can only think what you saw was 'Capital of England' activity where people may have been a mixture of tourists and central London shopping sprees. I guess spending like this is infectious in the capital.
I was in Cambridge on what should have been a busy day 23rd December rather against my wife's advice. It might have been an ordinary shopping day, no pressure.
London is of course another country.
Would be interesting to know if these were foreign tourists buying Parchester. Last time I was in London there were lots of Japanese with lots of big name bulging carrier bags. Nothign at all like that going on in the southwest as far as I can see
There was certainly no sign of a recession in Milton Keynes shopping centre last week.
Mr F and I spent 25 minutes driving round looking for a parking space then gave up and came home.
London is well known to be an exception to the rule when it comes to spending. There are many visitors coming over from Europe and further afield to buy here because the pound is weak and other currencies are strong so London, especially at sale time, seems very cheap.
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I tend to agree, Snoops, nothing like this here in the south west either.
In South Wales, the large outlet stores seem very busy,whereas the town centres seem to suffer. However,the regeneration of some depreved areas may also address that need, and perhaps people may eventually tire of supermarkets! How many people shop locally? Try local greengrocers fruit, in season,for example and compare with the supermarket alternatives. We have enjoyed fantastic British pears for months, now. The supermarket offerings are like bullets,and either rot, or dry before ripening.
Hi greydo, I do shop locally for fruit and veg, one of our local greengrocers has closed down, but the other one's still going, and we have a farmers market in the high street on certain saturdays. I'm a great believer in supporting your local economy! :-)
I do buy what I can from the farm shops rahter than the big supermarkets, and its better quality and often cheaper!