Marchpole - Growing in Style, Moda acquisition imminent

First of all Happy new year to one and all.

I see today that some figures were released showing that after the mad dash to the sales on Boxing day the week ended with retailers saying numbers were down by 8%

From my experience this past week I would go along with this.
Went out yesterday and it was dead (West quay Southampton, the biggest inner city shopping centre in Europe)

My wife is there now and she has just phoned to say that again it is dead with many shops knocking prices down even more. She also added that many of the big clothes retailers are snowed under with people returning goods they got in the sales but now dont want. These are being re stacked at a discount over the original sale price.

I know MPH produces more upmarket clothes than Next / M&S but to me all this proves MM words the other month that 2006 is going to be crap for retailers in the UK.

I also know that MPH make money from sales in other parts of the world but to me I still think there could be more of a fall to come based on what is going on in the UK.