When the late, great Harry Carpenter would interview Frank Bruno and ask him how he was, Frank would inevitably reply “Duckin an divin ‘arry”!
It occured to me, what with the debt crises in the US and Europe, growing unemployment and deteriorating consumer sentiment in general, we are all going to have to engage in some ducking and diving of our own, we are all going to have to shop a little more savvy from now on!
It’s clear we are in the middle of a seismic shift in the way people communicate with each other, how we purchase goods and how, despite the best efforts of governments and major financial instutions, every generation has its “reset” button pushed at some point, to prevent us from loosing the run of ourselves.
Time was, when Joe Bloggs wanted plantation shutters throughout his home, he simply lifted the phone, got the quote for ten grand and eight weeks later had them fitted. Lovely jubbly!
Today, Joe’s got three quotes and he’s got the price down to eight grand. Plus, he’s discovered diy shutters online and if he’s prepared to do some simple measuring himself and can get the father-in-law to give him a hand fitting them over a weekend, he can have the job done for six grand!
The shift in consumer mindset to more thrifty shopping habits won’t happen overnight, but happen it will. And retailers, especially interior furnishings retailers, had better be ready when it does.
Know what I mean ‘arry!
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