When times get just that little bit tougher, it is even more important that consumer expenditure and behaviour is monitored that much more closely. British Lifestyles 2008 does just that; not only identifying those areas which have done well and not so well over the past decade, but also how they will do in the future

In the Winners & Losers section we bring together all the sectors and examine how they have performed over what has been a boom time for the consumer. However this is not to last, although Mintel is forecasting that consumer expenditure will be slower in the next five years compared to the past: the economy as a whole is expected to do, if anything, slightly better.

When times get just that little bit tougher, it is even more important that consumer expenditure and behaviour is monitored that much more closely. British Lifestyles 2008 does just that; not only identifying those areas which have done well and not so well over the past decade, but also how they will do in the future

In the Winners & Losers section we bring together all the sectors and examine how they have performed over what has been a boom time for the consumer. However this is not to last, although Mintel is forecasting that consumer expenditure will be slower in the next five years compared to the past: the economy as a whole is expected to do, if anything, slightly better.

This year’s issue takes trends analysis a little further. Firstly, we have looked at the relative performance in the periods 1997-2002 and 2002-07 to identify those markets which are gaining, those which are maturing and those which are in comparative decline. Secondly we have linked consumer markets to major economic parameters – through its Economic Sensitivity Gauge in each of the Market Size and Trends sections and collectively in the Winners & Losers sections. This helps readers judge the impact of any downturn.

Finally the consumer research conducted for this report highlights those population segments which are vulnerable to a tightening of household budgets and those who will ride the downturn with immunity. The analysis looks at consumer markets with much pent-up demand and the likelihood of this being released.