Is anyone else irritated by the ridiculous and often hysterical media coverage of the sales? - reports of "massive spending", mile-long queues etc?

One (similar) report on Breakfast TV this morning reported "record crowds" and "queues since 5am" - then the camera swung round and showed a totally empty shopping centre !

The Saturday before Christmas, the media were in similar "hysteria-mode" - then the actual figures came out, showing a 25% DROP in footfall (over the previous year) and a similar DROP in actual takings.

Who do they think they are kidding (and why ?)

In The Know wrote:
Is anyone else irritated by the ridiculous and often hysterical media coverage of the sales? - reports of "massive spending", mile-long queues etc?

One (similar) report on Breakfast TV this morning reported "record crowds" and "queues since 5am" - then the camera swung round and showed a totally empty shopping centre !

The Saturday before Christmas, the media were in similar "hysteria-mode" - then the actual figures came out, showing a 25% DROP in footfall (over the previous year) and a similar DROP in actual takings.

Who do they think they are kidding (and why ?)

Because strangely at this time of year there is no news. Well, none worth hearing about. For example Iraq and Afghanistan stories are all about soldiers with santa hats on. Having said that its quite nice to have the insulation from the truth at Christmas. There is a fantastic Tommy Sheridan story doing the rounds north of the border but funnily enough its not deemed newsworthy down south.

Angel wrote:
There is a fantastic Tommy Sheridan story doing the rounds north of the border


Yes, it is funny - and true. People who voted for this idiot must be scratching their heads

it's all ghastly nonsense which would be OK if it wasn't the only damned thing both there and here !!!

But it is the Silly Season and yet people are still dying and getting killed in Iraq etc...yet all the news here is about SALES and the BLOODY CRICKET which I've always found boring. (especially when England wins )

I mean who give a flying f**k that toasters are on special and ten quid cheaper ????

(any hints on what that Sheridan story may be ???? ..not that I like tabloid rubbish but I love it)

I think I've got BR Syndrome.

Yes, I was right - sales actually slumped !

High Streets fear tough 2011 as Boxing Day sales slump

"Another survey, by analysts Synovate, showed a 22.8% fall in the number of shoppers on Boxing Day this year".

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12083156

veritas wrote:
any hints on what that Sheridan story may be ??

This story rivals the Profumo affair of the 60's and he was only Secretary of State for War; much higher individuals in the food chain are involved here - including a well known TV broadcaster (and his partner, with strong political ties); both joined Sheridan and wifey in their swinger activities.

Others were also involved with traceable Holyrood/Westminister connections - and, significantly, HMS Astute (the problematic and accident prone nuclear submarine) was openly discussed in swinger locations; thus a national security aspect evolves.

Weekend newspapers give most of the story; to publish now during holiday time would reduce impact, which will be immense - and the most ground breaking, in terms of security, in almost 50 years.

As with Profumo, the sex aspects will give things more momentum.

I believe politicians with healthy sex lives are probably far preferable to hung up ones!

I'll wait for this one to develop which it will do when the poor bastard is banged up.

The mainstream media are desperately trying to shovel soil over the Wikileaks scandal:
1. Because their paymasters have ordered them to.
2. Because it exposes they aren't doing their job
3. Because "it's good news week" - maybe that horrid Mr Assange might have met am Ipcress-esque demise by January 3rd?

june wrote:
HMS Astute (the problematic and accident prone nuclear submarine)

Commissioned only a couple of months before running aground in October 2010, this 7,400 tonne/multi-million £ vessel has the most sophisticated navigation system on earth. It still, however, finds it difficult to find its way and rarely leaves the shores of Scotland.

Russian counterparts operate nearby - watching the Astute's every move; Britain has less than a dozen subs - most are ancient compared to the vast Russian fleet which has the massive Typhoon class in significant numbers.

Sheridan found out that the Typhoon had found a way to interfere with the Astute's radar/navigation system and had to pay the price. The fact that he used Swinger's clubs (to obtain the information) made it easier to discredit him - but the story was leaked to the UK media which will have a field day at the weekend.

Nothing to do with Wikileaks, though they are expected to confirm the facts later.

The Astute cost c £2b which is the cost of 1,000 hospitals!

Hertia wrote:

Sheridan found out that the Typhoon had found a way to interfere with the Astute's radar/navigation system and had to pay the price

In fact, Sheridan found out much more than this; HMS Astute is no longer in action because of major design flaws - not least the navigational systems.

No further submarines will be built as a result (the costs are also prohibitive) and the Trident ones will be given a new lease of life. Even though they can be seen by most watching satellites.

In The Know wrote:
The Saturday before Christmas, the media were in similar "hysteria-mode" - then the actual figures came out, showing a 25% DROP in footfall (over the previous year) and a similar DROP in actual takings.

Who do they think they are kidding (and why ?)

The truth is out .... both NEXT (down 3.1%) and HMV (down 13.6%) report massive sales drops.

Shop closures will follow ............

Next made half a billion quid though and John Lewis up a huge amount - as usual it's the good shops who fear no recession (like Amazon).

HMV look doomed. 60 shops to close. A further nail in the coffin of the music business and as jk says amazon will take the strain.

Thanks Hertia, about a week ago you wrote:

"...the story was leaked to the UK media which will have a field day at the weekend."

Did I miss the media field day last weekend, or did things not turn out as you predicted?

Best Wishes,
Jim

Another 2 chains report dropped sales, and issue profit warnings -

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12125690

Thanks June, you wrote:

"This story rivals the Profumo affair of the 60's and he was only Secretary of State for War; much higher individuals in the food chain are involved here - including a well known TV broadcaster (and his partner, with strong political ties); both joined Sheridan and wifey in their swinger activities."

www.kingofhits.co.uk/index.php?option=co...2&id=66486#66514

What's all this about? Any links? I missed the big weekend denouement. Was there one?

Best Wishes,
Jim