The culture of discounting is built in to the business model of the motor trade and has been for many years. Sometimes I think it's regrettable, and wish there was one of transparent fair pricing.
Unfortunately, or at least some of us feel so, the discount culture is percolating through most retail sectors, exacerbated by the ease with which prices can be compared using the Internet.
I was in the city of York a couple of weeks ago, a normally bustling shopping area. It was a bright, crisp, sunny December weekday lunchtime and the streets were more or less deserted. Car parks were half empty and retailers I spoke to were complaining of lack of customers.
As I drove out of the city, I passed the out of town "Designer Outlet" retail park which, conversely, had a queue of vehicles waiting to get in.
It might be short term good news for consumers, but it's the race to the bottom for the economy.
We should always be careful what we wish for.
|
