Research and Markets: UK Annual Forecasts 2012-17: Retail and the Economy - Unemployment to Fall Substantially Until 2015

DUBLIN--()--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9zzkfw/uk_annual) has announced the addition of the "UK Annual Forecasts 2012-17: Retail and the Economy" report to their offering.

The short economic recovery following the recession came to an abrupt halt when the UK entered its longest double dip recession since the second world war. Unemployment has remained stubbornly high, while low wage growth and consumer confidence have continued to impact spending patterns. While there is light at the end of the tunnel, it remains far farther away than many first anticipated.

Effectively plan for the future, and anticipate profit margin movement, by understanding the path for inflation over the next five years. Plan your growth and expansion strategy by understanding and adjusting it to the shape of the UK economic landscape over the next five years. Anticipate a recovery in retail spending, and understand the impact of economic measures on consumer behavior, and when a positive trend will be seen

Inflation finally appears to be falling, despite a slight blip in July 2012, thanks to the VAT increase coming out of annual comparisons. While this is good news for retailers, with less pressure on input costs and consumers' wallets, there is very little growth in real incomes, meaning consumers are still finding it very difficult

Lack of demand, and little desire to sell means that the UK housing market remains weak. Average prices are 11.1% lower than before the recession in 2008, while transaction volumes remain heavily suppressed in 2012. Little activity has led to significant downward pressure on consumer spending, especially in big ticket and home related categories

While unemployment is declining in 2012, it remains stubbornly high, with little sign of relief in the near future, and we expect a lag between the economic contraction in 2012 and its impact on unemployment. Firms will avoid hiring until the outlook is considerably more positive, meaning unemployment is unlikely to fall substantially until 2015

Key Topics Covered:

OVERVIEW

  • Summary
  • Methodology

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • Introduction
  • Scope
  • Methodology
  • Principle Sources

ECONOMIC SUMMARY

  • Economy takes a turn for the worse and recovery will be slow and gradual
  • Tough year ahead following double-dip recession
  • Interest rates set to remain low while economy takes time to recover
  • Stubbornly high unemployment prevents shoppers from spending
  • Low wage growth restricting disposable income growth
  • Inflation set to continue to fall, but remains higher than wage growth
  • Homeowners reluctant to move continuing to halt housing recovery
  • Shoppers continue to build buffer to mitigate impact of future difficulties
  • Consumer confidence remains historically low

APPENDIX

  • Help and tips to use the annual forecasts
  • Printing
  • Copying data to Excel
  • Viewing
  • Inserting slides into your own presentations
  • Ask the analyst
  • Disclaimer

Companies Mentioned

- Bank of England,

- Informa plc

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9zzkfw/uk_annual

Contacts

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager.
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Sector: Clothing

Contacts

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager.
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Sector: Clothing