Relying on impulse purchases will seriously damage business prospects

Analysts warn against discounting in downturn

Analysts have warned that slashing prices will not work as a method for driving sales if the expected retail downturn comes to pass.

Nick Bubb, an analyst at Pali International and a member of retail think tank KPMG/SPSL warned that consumers will not purchase on impulse in a downturn – which is exactly what price cuts are designed to drive.

"People are sated by bargains. They will not buy things in 2007/8 that they don’t need, simply because they’re cheap," he said.

"Retailers who are successful now and will be successful in a downturn are not necessarily the slash and burn discounters," he added.

Check Also

QBS Technology Group Continues META Expansion with Maxtec

QBS Technology Group has completed the acquisition of South Africa-based cybersecurity distributor Maxtec. The acquisition …