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At last, data from a number of credible sources is delivering some “good news”: industrial production is picking up, investors are returning to the stockmarket, asset prices are beginning to rise and consumer confidence is returning.
Unfortunately, however, the outlook is still very uncertain, both globally and for the UK in particular - many downside risks remain.
Issues which may stand in the way of a quick recovery include: rising unemployment, ballooning government debt, fiscal pressures, rising commodity prices and the pressure to achieve greater sustainability.
The latter two issues are particularly challenging: for the first time in modern history, mankind faces the challenge of pursuing prosperity within tightening resource and carbon constraints.
There is no blueprint for this, no proven doctrine; just as this recession is no ordinary recession, so the recovery must be an extraordinary recovery. The next few years seem set to teach us all some tough lessons...
The need for grocery professionals to develop a sound understanding of business environments has never been stronger. For those lacking the time or expertise to investigate and interpret these happenings or for those seeking an external perspective, IGD’s new Quarterly Economic Update is an essential purchase, written by IGD's Chief Economist James Walton.
Focusing primarily on the UK, but also including supplementary coverage of other markets, this practical series of briefing papers will cover topical economic issues such as:
- Commodity prices and availability
- Business pressures
- Government policy, taxation and regulation
- Household finances and consumer confidence
- Investor strategy and business impacts.
IGD's Quarterly Economic Update will be published four times in 2009 and is only available as a set. By ordering, you'll receive all four issues from throughout the year.
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