Just when everyone thought the recession was ending more bad economic news continues to be reported. Consumer spending is slowing. The financial system remains weak. Economic growth is moving at a snail’s pace. Businesses continue to close.One sign the recession is not over yet, even if the technical data says it is ended, is the fact that businesses are still not hiring and many continue to downsize and consolidate operations. For example, Marks and Spencer stores in Lincolnshire are being closed over the objections of town residents. The branch stores are located in Skegness, Scunthorpe, and Grantham. Marks and Spencer is just one chain department store that has had to find ways to cut costs in order to overcome lower consumer spending.
Shopping in today’s economic environment is challenging. One day your favourite store is there and in what seems like the next day, it is closed. That’s just one reason people are turning to the internet more frequently for their shopping needs. Because online retailers have less overhead, you are more likely to find the retailer still in business and going strong. That’s important when you need to replace clothing like embroidered shirts for work or uniforms for work or school. Online retailers often have the lowest prices too and the shopping convenience is unbeatable. You can shop, order, pay and then have the products delivered right to your doorstep.
Though Marks and Spencer considered local resident requests to keep the store open, the fact is the Lincolnshire stores had seen falling sales for several years now. Apparently they are a victim of the recession though the downhill slide has been slow. Fortunately the people in the towns can continue to find what they need by going online.
Here today and gone tomorrow could be the motto of this recent recession. How long will it last? No one seems to know, but at least you have another choice when it’s time to buy new school clothes or printed t-shirts.
(c) Image by Jim Daly, www.sxc.hu/