Economic Recovery, A False Start?

NIESR says we’re over the worst, but recovery will be slow.  Others say that we are due another slump and that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.  Certain factors in favour of the more optimistic forecast can’t be ignored, though.  The weak pound has helped boost exports, housing sales are up and factories are managing to destock their warehouses and are optimistic about resuming or increasing production.

Businesses, however, are still going bust and growth remains slow or nonexistent.  Or does it?

Recent news from the bread making businesses hailed an increase in sandwich sales, which has been taken as a solid indicator of broader economic recovery.  Sales of pre-packed value sandwiches have returned to pre-recession levels as factors such as ‘recession fatigue’ and daily downsizing push consumers towards the food-to-go market.

Many people are apparently suffering from a ‘recession fatigue’, whereby they have tired of avoiding pre-packed sandwiches and grab-and-go impulse lines and are simply returning to their old habits.  Many other people on a higher economic level are avoiding the more expensive lunches they have enjoyed and are turning to the same food-to-go market in a quest to satisfy their need for good quality, pre-prepared food.

These changing habits have altered the face of the food market, but one thing they haven’t done is slow the food-to-go sector down and it seems that, even if the economy’s overall recovery is still in question, some business sectors can’t put a foot wrong.