nickshanagher

In my business, we have started our 2010 budget process and no-one is happy about having to put words and numbers on what they think will happen next year - and still do their day jobs! As a publishing company that serves independent retailers, our success is linked to two things: the need for local shopkeepers to find out what is going on and to act on it; and the willingness of major suppliers to invest in the independent channel. At some point, both depend on the willingness of shoppers to visit their local shops and spend money. Therefore I am always keen to read what the major groups are saying about the future and two leaders of major UK quoted companies were offering their thoughts last week. Obviously, they are talking up their current performance and warning of trouble ahead because the indicators for the UK economy are still weighted to the down side rather than the up side. Justin King of Sainsbury says that today's shopper is "coming out of their shell a bit...