UNITED KINGDOM: THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON IN LONDON'S REGENT STREET SHOPPING PRECINCT

Record ID: 863213

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON IN LONDON'S REGENT STREET SHOPPING PRECINCT
  • Date: 7th November 2004
  • Summary: (L!1) LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 7, 2004)(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) LAS: COUNTDOWN TO PRESENTATION OF CHRISTMAS DISPLAY WINDOWS AT HAMLEYS TOY STORE IN REGENT STREET, LIGHTS AND FIREWORKS HERALD RAISING OF SHUTTERS ON DISPLAY WINDOWS VARIOUS: OF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS LOOKING AT WINDOW DISPLAYS (5 SHOTS) VARIOUS: LARGE CROWD FILLS REGENT STREET HEAD OF THE SWITCHING ON OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (9 SHOTS) VARIOUS: COUNTDOWN TO SWITCHING ON OF LIGHTS, LIGHTS SWITCHED ON (4 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Industry,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAC7OU7LAD5IEAGGKHDIXC9W5CI
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Christmas lights turned on in London's Regent Street shopping precinct.
    Thousands of people packed into London's Regent street on Sunday night (November 7) for the annual ceremony that sees the spectacular London Christmas light display switched on.
    Parents with small children crowded around department store windows, none more popular than Hamleys toy shop in Regent street.
    While children gazed longingly at the products in the window, parents calculated the cost of fulfilling some of those wishes for Christmas.
    There was some sobering news for retailers hoping for a bumper Christmas for themselves.
    Shoppers are tightening their belts in the run-up to Christmas as consumer confidence drops and disposable income dwindles.
    Consumer confidence is reported to be at its lowest level , reflecting fears over interest rates, higher petrol costs and a dampening housing market.
    An economic forecasting group said shoppers were particularly reluctant to buy "big ticket" items, such as household appliances and furniture.
    The number of people expecting to make a purchase of this kind has slumped to the lowest level in almost 10 years.
    The change in spending comes as a separate study reported Britons were to find themselves with less cash to spend on things of their choice as levels of disposable income dropped for the first time in six years.
    The findings support suggestions Britons plan to tighten their belts this Christmas.
    An annual survey has found people expect to spend less than last year on presents, food and drink.
    And they are increasingly looking abroad in the hunt for a bargain and more choice.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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