Whatever your moral and philosophical position on consumer culture and materialism, the zombie-like behaviour of consumers in the UK and US should reassure investors that despite all the storm clouds people will keep buying things they need, and in many cases do not really need as well.
In developed economies consumer spending is the bedrock of the economy, and the most important element in economic growth. As long as people are spending their hard or not-so-hard earned cash the show is kept on the road.
