Times are hard. Which means money is scarce. The only way to keep it circulating is by spending. But guess what, it is tough to spend. I have made some interesting observations for the last few months. Doctors offices are not as crowded as they used to be. It has affected our Rehab set up also. People don't want to part with their co-pays. The real estate market doing poorly is no secret. I didn't even see as many people on the ski slopes this year. Some people have abandoned their pets, as they are not able to feed them any longer.
But there is one place which never seems deserted. The Mall. Now I don't have any statistics to prove this, as I said earlier, its just an observation. I know someone who works for a big brand name in the clothing line. Their clothes are priced towards the higher end. Their Michigan outlet exceeded its target sales by millions last year. Now that is very surprising for a state which is doing so badly otherwise. P.F.Chang's still needs reservation or there is at least a 45 minute wait. Amit told me that he read an article which stated that only two industries did well during the Great Depression: the restaurant business and cosmetics industry! Makes one wonder, as to how our minds work. Is it the desire to take the mind off all worries, or just the primal need for food? Or just convenience? What about the desire to 'look good'? Is this man-made or an instinct. Why do we do it? Any explanations, similar or opposite observations?
1 comment:
As per the studies whenever a country is in economic depression, the upscale shopping and movie business has soared. The way I understand it is due to the fact shopping is a stress reliever, so are movies. People get tired hearing about recession in the news, cuts taking place at work, action news about high gas prices on their drives. They need an outlet to find some solace and that reflects in the form of movies and shopping.
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