Consumer credit is booming in Bulgaria.
For the first five months of 2007, demand for consumer credit in
Bulgaria increased 22 percent. The loans were used principally for home
repairs. Improvements in household energy efficiency were . . .
Ukraine political crisis affects consumers.(Brief
article)
According to a June 21, 2007 story distributed by the Russian news
agency RIA Novosti, the current Ukraine President is favored to win the
elections he called for on May 27, 2007. The elections are . . .
The European Car Market.
Car sales are widely regarded as an indicator of short term
economic growth, and in the enlarged European Union (EU27) vehicle
production grew 4.0 percent in the first three months of 2007 . . .
Spain: Mixed results for the retail sales index.
The graph above raises more questions about Spanish consumer
spending than it answers. Clearly, the medium term trend of the rate of
growth in Spain's retail sales index (the trend line is in . . .
Greece is sustaining above trend growth.
Greece is experiencing strong expansion with first quarter 2007
results enhancing optimism for the rest of the year. Citing the Greek
Finance Minister as its source, the Greek news aggregator . . .
Major consumer trend research for the UK.
According to recent research conducted by the WPP Group, the global
communications, advertising and research firm, there is a consumer trend
in the United Kingdom (UK) that is growing faster than . . .
Romania's promise in danger of a stall.
Romania joined the European Union (EU) on January 1, 2007 amid hope
and controversy. The hope remains. But the controversy has deepened. The
accession controversy focused on-among other things-the . . .
Swiss consumer spending is growing.
Citing the KOF Swiss Economic Institute in Zurich as its source, a
posting on the website of the Swiss Broadcasting Company (SBC) on May
25, 2007 said that the Swiss economy was likely to grow . . .
Russian consumption patterns changing.(Survey)(Brief
article)
Russia's consumption patterns have changed. According to a May
18, 2007 release distributed by RIA Novosti (Moscow), a Russian
government news agency, "An increase in salaries has upgraded . . .
Spain's leading indicators increase.(Brief article)
On May 22, 2007, the New York based research firm The Conference
Board published leading and coincident indicators for Spain. The leading
index of economic indicators increased 0.9 percent in March . . .
Plastic packaging waste.
In 1994, the European Union (EU) enacted aggressive legislation
which specifies ambitious recycling targets for member states. Plastic
packaging waste generated by households is a way for countries . . .
Household spending in Italy is alive and well.
The trend view of Italian consumption in the graph above offers
something of a surprise. In macroeconomic terms, Italy lagged behind the
other 12 members of the eurozone in its overall rate of . . .
French unemployment at a record low.
A summary of 15 polls taken between April 22, 2007 and April 29,
2007 is predicting that the French May 6, 2007 runoff election will be
won by the current ruling party candidate. In a CSA Group . . .
Confidence in the Czech economy is high.
In a March 27, 2007 press release, the Czech Statistical Office
(CSU) released the findings of its March 2007 consumer confidence
survey. The results showed both the composite indicator and the . . .
Concern for Polish worker emigration.
Poland's Economic Ministry has raised the prospect of a
difficult problem connected with the emigration of Polish workers. In a
March 15, 2007 posting on the B92 (Belgrade) website, which . . .
Danish consumer confidence down.
When Market: Europe last reviewed Denmark's consumer
confidence (January 2007, 18:1) consumers were clearly concerned about
several aspects of the Danish economy. But feelings have now . . .
German consumer confidence rebounds.
German consumer confidence has turned around.
On March 28, 2007, the GfK Group (Nuremberg) gave itself a well
deserved pat on the back for its forecast that by the end of the first
quarter 2007, . . .
Finland to grow more slowly.(economic forecast )(Brief
article)(Statistical data)
On March 20, 2007, the Bank of Finland (BOF) published its economic
forecast for the country for 2007 through 2009. During 2007, the BOF
expects GDP to grow 3.0 percent, and 2.7 percent each year . . .
Beer.
Europe, according to statistics supplied by Japan's Kirin
Brewery Company, is the world's largest beer consuming region.
European consumption, based on 2004 figures, accounts for 32.8 percent
of . . .
Confidence down slightly in an otherwise solid Belgium.
Overall consumer confidence in Belgium began to decline from
October 2006 (the while line in the graph above.) Between October 2006
and November 2006 the decline was mild but it accelerated sharply . . .
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