Can our shopping basket tell us the recession is nearing the end?

In a blog earlier this week I asked the question, what constitutes a green shoot? Perhaps we can add to the list baked bean sales. Apparently in a recession we buy more baked beans.

Are diamonds no longer a girls best friend?

Figures released today show that the worlds top miner of diamonds, De Beers, have seen profits plummet by 99%. This article explains further.
Perhaps the world-wide recession is having an impact upon sales? It would make most sense as diamonds are luxury goods so as incomes fall the demand for such products will fall. This is probably a good article to start off discussions leading to income elasticity of demand. 

Primark sales up 21%

As the recession continues to bite in the retail sector one high street store is bucking the trend. Primark announced this week that their sales were up 21%.

A real kitchen nightmare for Gordon Ramsay

Figures released this week show just how difficult Gordon Ramsay has found the current economic slowdown. Accounts show there has been an 87% fall in profits for Gordon’s London restaurants.