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It may only be a saving of £2.50 on a £100 spend, but that translates into £25.00 on a £1000 spend, so if you're buying at the larger end of TVs, cameras or other such luxuries, it is worth taking into consideration.
What I can identify myself, as a small business, is that my takings over December are up on last December by 232%. That is a massive increase, and I suspect that it is more a result of a combination of factors - VAT, customer confidence, the strength of the Euro against the pound (I've sold loads to Italy, Spain and France)and having the right products for sale. All this despite industrial action early in the month by the Royal Mail. Toys have sold unbelievably well; customers are still looking for good deals, but I get the feeling that people have just had enough of doom and gloom on the TV and decided to enjoy Christmas. Fingers crossed, the outlook for 2010 is looking brighter than it did in the summer, but we're not out of the woods yet.
Let us hope that the successes in my own business are reflected in the High Street. Of late, the High Street has taken a battering, and it's for the greater good if the economy can be booted out of recession by a surge in the High Street. I also believe that the way we shop has changed irreversably in that the internet and out of town shopping centres such as Westwood Cross now attract more customers than ever before - and that is why I believe the smaller High Street such as Dover's needs to develop more niche shops and better quality shopping than previously. I myself bought our Christmas meat from Rooks, and our veg from the lady who has a (excellent quality) farmer's stall on Archers Court Road @ Pineham, plus a few bits & bobs at the Sussex bookshop, otherwise it all came from eBay, which offers prices much lower than other sources if you look carefully.
We have enjoyed a remarkable final quarter in the 2009 calendar year - long may it continue! Happy New Year to all............