Further evidence that the economy isn't failing as consistently as some would have you believed has emerged with good financials from Halfords, although in today's Guardian chief executive Ian McLeod rightly points to the needs-driven nature of the company:
"The nature of our business is that it is needs-driven, rather than wants-driven," said chief executive Ian McLeod. "If people need a new headlamp, they have to buy it."
Also in The Guardian the wants-driven Austin Reed has lost money although sales have been consistent, and clothing retailer Ted Baker has made advances but warns of tough trading and a slide in recent weeks.
