FSP Retail Blog

I have never needed the fingers on any hand to count the number of unemployed people I know. There just weren’t any. Undoubtedly environment was a huge factor. Birds of a feather, etc. We’re all white collar, professional, management – all the boring boxes on any census or survey, and nothing that would add substantially to our life assurance premiums. Now I need more than one hand to count my unemployed friends, and all are the type who won’t register on the government’s statistics as they’re living on their past earnings and anyway, surely something’s just around the corner?

Well, maybe it is

A look at the national statistics paints a black picture, but has done for some time. The general decline in value of retail sales (with the only positive effect probably caused by our parliamentary members ensuring they utilise their expense account!), house prices and, well, most things, including our savings and income, can be neatly summarised in the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence survey

Consumer Confidence

But look! There seems to be an upward trend once again (three months counts as a trend, doesn’t it?). The pollsters attribute it to the feel good effect of some decent weather, but are keen to point out that questions were asked before the budget announcement.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the upward trend continues. The future’s bright: the newly unemployed do not wish to be, summer’s coming (long and hot) and bath plugs for all I say!