A Royal Affair

The Wall Street Journal
"Wedding to Boost U.K. Retail"
By ALEX BRITTAIN, MICHELLE ABREGO and JENNA LAYNE VOIGT

Last week, an article reported that U.K. retail was on a fast downward slope, but this week's article about U.K. retail spreads a little hope. As the royal wedding is quickly approaching, many say that the retail items that are associated with the national event will help boost retail. Others say that the boost will be great and much needed, but it will only be short-lived. The reasoning behind this claim is the fact that U.K. employees will have a day off for the wedding. U.K. will also be celebrating two holidays that sandwich the wedding holiday, so production will be halted for three days almost back to back to back. 

Food and drink sales are expected to sky-rocket as people start to prepare for their wedding parties. The pubs centrally located around the wedding processional are also expecting a hike in retail. People are hoping this will be a catalyst to get retail back on its feet, but researchers say high prices and job security are factors to prevent a long-term boost. 

First of all, I am intrigued by the enormous attention Americans have put on this wedding. We have always been fascinated with the British Royal family, mostly because of Diana. I remember hearing girls talk about and drool over Prince William when we were in grade school. Everyone has been waiting for this wedding. Americans have eaten up the the footage and coverage of Diana, Charles and Camille, and William and Harry. 

Now that the royal family and its power looks a little bit different from earlier times with Elizabeth and Victoria, it's interesting to see that U.K. businesses are counting on the royal family and its fairy tale wedding to help in this time of need. It will be interesting to see how things play out for retailers. It's always interesting to me when the American "first family" and the British royal family are compared. I didn't see articles about Chelsea Clinton's wedding being counted on to boost America's or even New York's retail. I know it's a little different, but it's always interesting to read and discuss.