Striking to the Shops?

Last Wednesday we all know that public sector workers were on strike and it was impossible to miss the column inches, news coverage and general comments across the social sphere regarding the strikes.

 What was also quite noticeable in Manchester that day whilst walking through the City Centre was that it was so much busier than a normal Wednesday. The Arndale was just as packed as on a Saturday afternoon and myself and my girlfriend Dyna were surprised at this and both made tongue-in-cheek comments about people going on strike to go shopping.

But after reading the FT on Friday it seems we were right!

Across the nation Experian reported that footfall was up 38% on last year's figures based on samples taken from above 50% of the UK's shopping centres. This is quite an increase but some context is surely needed here as these figures may be misleading. There are no figures as yet on the amount spent last Wednesday - high street 'browsing' is a cheap day out; There is also a strong case that people simply brought forward the day they went shopping and as such no more money will be spent overall - its not true that these families have any more money to spend!

It was also noted this week by KPMG that UK consumers are amongst the most tech-friendly and embracing consumers in the world. We seem to be embracing technology a lot faster than most countries do. The BBC reported that "Seventy-seven per cent of British shoppers prefer to buy goods like CDs, DVDs, books and video games online - compared with 65% globally."

This is encouraging news to us at Crowdbuy as we hope you, the UK consumers, embrace YOUR online shopping community and Buy Together and Save!

Visit us at www.CrowdBuy.com and join Your Community Today! Spread the word!

What do we want? Retail Therapy! When do we want it? Now!  Photo courtesy of thisisleicestershire.co.uk 

Twitter: @crowdbuy