Do we really want Britons to be spending, spending, spending?

By Kamal Ahmed 109PM GMT eleven March 2010

Comments fifteen |

John Lewis has warned that 2010 won"t infer any simpler for the consumer Photo EPA

Both are great companies, focusing on creation certain the patron feels longed for (and it"s startling how most consumer-facing businesses don"t assimilate that blindingly elementary concept). Even by a down-turn, it is transparent that mending the extent of services and how you broach them can expostulate expenditure growth.

I don"t know how most people held the BBC programme on John Lewis last night, but saying one of the partners scarcely ripping in to tears of happiness when the initial smoothness lorry arrived at the new store at Cardiff was a pleasure to spy and shows how encouraged staff have a difference. I suggest the second monthly payment subsequent week.

Why John Lewis knows Middle England Morrisons posts jot down profits, raises division John Lewis because a seat salesman was in the spotlight Debenhams brings a little hearten to the high travel Wm Morrison outlines finish of severe Yuletide updates for retailers FTSE shakes off uninformed conflict on Punch

However, there is a big but here and those John Lewis numbers come with a notice - however most sets of Egyptian string towels they sell. The sell zone appears to have bounced behind from retrogression and it seems we"re all out "spending, spending, spending".

The subject is, are we saying the beginnings of an additional unsustainable consumer-led recovery? And when will the apocalyptic warnings of a "flattening" in the sell zone come to pass? Is the British economy still due a large improvement downwards? And, if consumers begin staying at home, what will the total see similar to afterwards and how will the Government, either Labour or Conservative, react? If there is a hung Parliament, integrity usually knows what will happen.

Sure, we"re seeking for some-more bargains and Waitrose"s essentials line has led a lot of John Lewis"s growth. But a Bank of England inform expelled currently pronounced that we are all aroused that there will be a high possibility of acceleration ahead. Is the consumer ever going to think there"s a retrogression on and cut their spending accordingly?

We"ve had a prolonged duration of consumer generated growth, most of it formed on debt. George Osborne has argued that the UK needs to shift to a indication where assets and entrepreneurial creation hold the key to the UK"s future. The ultimate sell total show that the consumer is still - may be dangerously - you do their bit. On the economy, there still seems a desperately prolonged approach to go.

I see brazen to your thoughts

Kamal