CITY VIEWS: WILL RETAILERS HAVE A BETTER CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR ?
ALEX READ | BDB BROKERS
“I definitely think people will be worried about what they spend this year and will decide to cut back. People usually get into debt to pay for Christmas and worry about it in January, but I think people will try and avoid that this year.”
LUKE GARRATT | DWF SOLICITORS
“I’ve bought most of my presents online already, and I think I’ve spent about the same as last year. More people are unemployed this year, which might affect sales, but I don’t imagine it will have a huge impact.”
PARDEEP KALSI | INTERNATIONAL POWER
“I think people are generally quite cautious at the moment as the effects of the recession really start to trickle down and affect normal people’s lives. I think Christmas this year and next year are going to be really difficult as more people lose their jobs. I’m certainly going to be spending less.”
TOM O’BOYLE | KAJIMA CORPORATION OF JAPAN
“I should imagine people will be quite worried this Christmas, though it clearly depends on people’s circumstances – plenty of people will have enough money to splash out. I don’t think I will be cutting back an awful lot. People will be a lot more aware of getting into debt this year, and might not use their credit cards.”