As I mentioned during my show-floor seminar at Online on Tuesday 2nd (thank you to all who were able to attend - as always, feedback is very welcome - my slides will be uploaded onto my website very soon!), consumer confidence and related spending has a direct impact on a countrys economic well-being. Trends, therefore, are often a useful 'temperature gauge' for research and analysis.
Apparently even the luxury champagne market is suffering from the financial turmoil. According to Trevor Stirling of Sanford Bernstein, "wholesalers will be sitting on a lot of stock, so we are expecting big price cuts even before Christmas, traditionally the busiest selling season".
A fizzy lining to a potentially fuzzy end of the year?
Source: Economist 6th December 2008