PROSPECTS FOR CONSUMER SPENDING TO 2005

摘要

Private consumption was the main engine behind economic activity in 1997. During the final quarter of 1997, consumer spending rose by 1.4 per cent over the Previous quarter and was 5.1 per cent higher than a year earlier. Overall, Consumers' expenditure rose by around 4.6 per cent last year, after rising by 3.6 per cent in 1996. Durable goods spending growth continued to outpace that for non-durable goods And services. Areas such as household appliances and clothing and footwear have seen the Strongest growth, boosted by windfall payments form building societies.