Consumer News
European intervention could weaken UK Shoppers refund claims
Year 2009
New rules proposed by the European Commission could weaken the the rights of UK consumer.
Under current UK law, consumers are entitled to a full refund if the goods they purchase are found to contain a fault.
The proposed European amendment, will only enable consumers to be entitled to a replacement or repair of their faulty goods, and in some cases only a discount.
With some exceptions, consumers will only be able to claim against their faulty goods within thirty days of purchase.
The Department for Business plans to fight to retain the 'right to reject' for UK shoppers.
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UK consumer confidence increases, the highest for twenty one months
Year 2009
A report released by GfK NOP has shown an increase in consumer confidence.
The month of October 2009 has detailed an improvement in consumers willingness to make bigger purchases, the highest for twenty one months.
With the Bank of England keeping interest rates low, the trend of confidence is predicted to up lift further.
Analysts still believe consumers are wary of further economic troubles, and the overall picture is still of fragility.
But, the forecast is for the UK economy to pull out of recession in the near future.
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Grocery stores remain resilient, clothing sector hardest hit
Year 2009
The most resilient retailers of the UK recession are the grocery supermarkets.
Research firm, Deloitte, has released data that shows consumers are being drawn towards supermarkets such as Tesco, rather than non-food businesses.
Compared to two years ago, over eighty percent of shoppers are purchasing the same pound sterling amount of food.
The picture is not so healthy for clothing and shoe retailers, who have been hit by a forty five percent decrease of spending by shoppers.
As was to be expected, budget level retailers and product lines are selling best.