The barbershop quartet: Four lessons on inflation from the hair salon

Will rates go high and tight - or be cut right down?

clock • 4 min read

For observers of consumer spending, April 2021 will deliver something special. In England, this month may come to be regarded as the 'age of the great haircut', as the nation emerges from its lockdown chrysalis and heads to the hairdresser.

For statisticians around the world, the rush back to the hair salon, barbershop and hospitality venues will drive green shoots of economic recovery into the data, but the near-term behaviour of the consumer warrants closer analysis - particularly with regard to the knock-on impacts on inflation. Whatever camp you are in - either expecting a roar back to the 1920s or a more protracted economic recovery - it is important to read between the lines on consumer spending trends as they evolve. Inflation, deflation or reflation? Balance is essential as rate debate intensifies Many near-te...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Markets

Market Movers Blog: US stocks surge to record high as bonds slide after Trump win

Market Movers Blog: US stocks surge to record high as bonds slide after Trump win

Latest news and analysis

Investment Week
clock 05 November 2024 • 1 min read
Autumn Budget 24: UK stocks rally while gilt yields soar as 'questions remain' around fiscal headroom

Autumn Budget 24: UK stocks rally while gilt yields soar as 'questions remain' around fiscal headroom

Gilts reach year-to-date high

Linus Uhlig
clock 30 October 2024 • 2 min read
Autumn Budget 24: Income tax threshold freeze to be lifted in 2028/29

Autumn Budget 24: Income tax threshold freeze to be lifted in 2028/29

No extension of freeze in thresholds beyond 2028

clock 30 October 2024 • 3 min read
Trustpilot