16/5/11: "UK retailers could be facing many years of poor sales growth, an economic think tank has said.

Consumer spending is expected to rise by only 2% a year in the 10 years up to 2020, according to Ernst & Young's Item Club.

Spending is being weighed down by debt repayments, restricted lending and high inflation, with the prospect of interest rate rises yet to come."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13408506