Consumer confidence up in Ireland.
The IIB Bank Economics Desk (IIB) reported on January 8, 2007, that
Irish consumer sentiment improved in December 2006. "The IIB/ESRI
Consumer Sentiment Index rose from 87.9 in November to 89.8 in . . .
Norway is worried about inflation.
Norway is the world's third biggest exporter of oil (after
Saudi Arabia and Russia), and the country has been enjoying an economic
boom from the revenue generated by rising oil prices. What the . . .
Food and drink trends.
Drawing on its own extensive collection of market research reports,
plus offerings from other vendors, Food & Drink Europe.com posted a
January 15, 2007 review of major 2007 food trends in Europe . . .
Outlook good for Poland but consumers may spend less.
The quarterly percentage change in Poland's retail sales
provides a clear picture of the status of consumer spending through
2005. The plot of retail sales, in yellow, is showing lower highs . . .
Bulgaria celebrates joining the EU.(European Union)
According to a Bloomberg News account distributed on the
service's wires on January 1, 2007, it was quite a party. There
were fireworks, rock concerts, the obligatory laser light shows,
euphoric . . .
Germany enters 2007 with optimism.
It is difficult these days to find a negative comment anywhere
about Germany's economy. For example, here's a typical remark
from a posting on the Guardian Unlimited website, the online presence . . .
Ukraine economy proves resilient.
What does Ukraine have that other emerging economies do not have?
According to a January 4, 2007 Associated Press (AP) report
published by the International Herald Tribune (Neuilly)-and many . . .
Italy faces a period of adjustment.(Brief article)
Long term hopes for Italy's beleaguered consumers are visible
in plans announced by the country's new (April 2006) prime
minister. In general, the prime minister's coalition appears to be
poised to . . .
Caveats for Czech Republic growth.
In a closely reasoned opinion piece published by the Czech Business
Weekly on December 18, 2006, a local economist and former board member
of the Czech National Bank (CNB) raised some objections to . . .
Danish consumers jittery about the future.(Brief article)
One of the most striking comparisons offered by Denmark's most
recent release of its consumer confidence statistics (by Statistics
Denmark, December 22, 2006) appears in the "General . . .
Oral hygiene.
The oral hygiene market is part of the cosmetics and toiletries
product category. Oral hygiene products are items such as toothpastes,
denture cleaners, mouthwash, denture adhesives, and teeth . . .
Russian consumers-earning and spending more.
In its December 2006 review of the Russian economy, the World Bank
affirmed what the international financial press has been reporting all
year-Russia is growing fast. For the years 2003 and 2004, . . .
Spain's prosperity grows.
Economic prospects for Spain are advancing strongly.
On December 3, 2006, the International Herald Tribune (Neuilly)
published a glowing Associated Press (AP) account of Spain's
economic . . .
Misgivings about Romania's EU accession.
Other than the fact that Romania (with Bulgaria) is due to bring
the European Union (EU) membership to 27 on January 1, 2007, is there
anything that should raise suspicions about all of the praise . . .
Taxes lift German consumer confidence.
The bad news is that Germany's Value Added Tax (VAT) is going
up to 19 percent from 16 percent on January 1, 2007-as has been long
expected. The good news is that Germany's consumer confidence . . .
UK consumers to be cautious in 2007.
In an extensive and closely reasoned November 2006 examination of
the economy of the United Kingdom (UK), the global accounting and
consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) concludes that UK . . .
Positive news from Italy.
Bloomberg News reported on November 22, 2006 that Italy's
consumer confidence index rose in November 2006 to 109.2 from 108.8 in
October. Bloomberg cited The Institute for Studies and Economic . . .
Ruling party wins Dutch elections.
On November 22, 2006, the ruling Christian Democratic party (CDA)
won the most seats in the Netherlands Parliamentary elections. According
to a November 23, 2006 BBC News report on the election . . .
The European car market.
The economic recovery in Europe is having a positive impact on car
sales. The European automobile manufacturers association (ACEA) is the
source cited by the Associated Press (AP) for sales figures . . .
Confidence trend is upward in France despite dip.(consumers think
positive )
One of the politicians who has announced his candidacy for
president in the upcoming 2007 French elections wants to deregulate the
country's labor market. He also wants to toughen welfare . . .
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