August 28th, 2009
More likely to spend?
Retail Week reports that UK Families are, on average, £9 a week better off in July this year than they were at the same time last year.
The Asda monthly income tracker identified this promising sign, and commented that it was a “positive trend” and that “a small movement in discretionary spend” could “make a big difference to household budget[s]“.
They pointed out that, of course, consumer spending is driven largely by confidence but here at greenshootsblog.com, we think that this has got to be another good sign.
August 13th, 2009
Sweet
At greenshootsblog.com, we were heartened to see the results of a new study from Pepsi, which show that people in the US are feeling more optimistic.
More specifically, the research shows that, compared to 2008, they’re feeling better across a range of indicators.
Specifically, they’re feeling more optimistic (vs. 2008) about:
- Relationships with family and friends (91% vs. 81%);
- Overall well-being (88% vs. 84%);
- Health (86% vs. 78%);
- Finances (77% vs. 64%);
- Chances of finding love (70% vs. 61%).
In fact, this new research shows us that 96% of Americans are optimistic about their futures and believe in each other.
Sweet stuff, indeed.
August 5th, 2009
Toyota production line in Derbyshire
The pound has been rising again against the US dollar following better-than-expected economic news.
The Office for National Statistics said industrial production unexpectedly rose 0.5% in June from May, although it is still down 11.1% from last year.
See pound vs dollar
Also, a survey from the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) showed the service sector growing at its fastest for 18 months.
The pound rose back above $1.70 to its highest level since October 2008.
The rise in industrial production was the biggest since October 2007 and was helped by a surge in car production.
The CIPS purchasing managers’ survey gave a reading for the services sector of 53.2 for July, up from 51.6 in June.
Any figure above 50 indicates an expansion in the sector.
It was the highest reading since February 2008.
“It is very much consistent with the green shoots recovery story,” said Mark Miller, an economist at HBOS.
“It continues the theme that the forward-looking business surveys are showing some more encouraging signs.”
August 3rd, 2009
N
issan has unveiled its new electric car model, which it claims will be the first vehicle to crack the mass market.
The five-door hatchback called Leaf will be on sale in the US and Japan by the end of next year and in the UK and Europe by 2012.
It is expected to launch a big marketing push behind the vehicle, but details are not known at this stage.
Electric Car, Innovation, Nissan
