Verba @ McAWilliams.com

Ok it’s Tuesday Twitter question time, and of course it had to coincide with some guy called Steve Jobs talking about some fruit things. Anyhow on budget day here in Ireland what better question then “how do u see your run up to Christmas, suppose this applies Around the world with financial crisis still happening. Will it be a quiet one, do u see big purchases coming up to Christmas etc?”

Darragh Doyle replied “my run up to christmas? Slow and steady with a distinct lack of spending money. In a word quiet. One of the things is a lot of more personal, handmade and smaller gifts rather than some argos purchase.”

LeCraic was next up with “I don’t go overboard with spending at Christmas anyway, but I am worried about retail trade after this budget and the impact it will have on spending generally. A .5% increase in VAT and a 1% across the board income “levy” isn’t the way to encourage consumer confidence. I’d have stuck in on higher income as was suggested by the V de P e.g. 85k.. It’s not fair on people on lower income.”

Redwinegums answered aswel with “If I get a job. Happy Days. If not it’s Kinder Eggs for everyone :-)” Hope that happens for you RWG.

So far some excellent replies but no female responders until

Cufa “I’m going to make use of my sewing machine for some hand-crafted xmas gifts. That or cookies.”

Darragh came back with another point “I don’t know. Non food/essentials retailers who do clever discount/loyaltly marketing might get the opp to shine now.”

LeCraic replied “Yeah but Darragh, there is only so much can be done with margins squeezed tight - increased costs, rent never goes down” to which Darragh said “oh no doubt. Tis a tough time coming but it doesn’t necessarily mean cutting price to the quick. Large will always beat small overall, but those who cultivate loyalty and looks after customers will survive. Agreed rip off republic is dead. Quality is going to become v important.”

LeCraic said “it’s a very delicate juggling act. think it’s time I dusted off that customer loyalty marketing course I bought ages ago :-)”

Moonstruckmania from America joined in at this point with “Ours have been low key once eveyrobe became adults, but this year will be less low key due to new grandson. Mother in law however will go crazy and spends like the money is going to expire ! :o(”

Bigstevie1275 Veteran question timer came on saying “At our house we will be cutting back on gifts and buy more charity gifts for people eg. Chickens from oxfam. As for me with working in retail we are always busy but it has slowed down a bit. Trade is down spending is more at the weekend let’s hope it picks up.”

At this stage everyone was still going on about apples and jobs so I decided to call it a night but on arrival home I saw some more answers firstly

Jkeyes with “I’m planning on spending as little as possible on presents as always, no expense spared for food and drink though.”

Then Icedcoffee with “Im sure I will have no more money than I have no so little spending from me.”

Also Grannymar added “Same as every year, wishing it was over! Why is it necessary to spend for Europe in a few short weeks? Time is a much better gift” What a fantastic answer.

Darragh finished the evening off with “Just thinking, big winners before christmas will prob be charity shops in terms of people clearing out but also looking.”

Well it looks like this apple farmer Jobs may well have a tough time attempting to get folk to invest in his fancy stuff for Christmas, bad timing Mr Jobs looking at these answers.

Thanks as always to those that took part today and hopefully the budget wont be as hard on you for 2009.

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