The top five in recession

The recession has us all by the jugular. The unemployment figure has risen to almost ten percent of the UK population, which means that 2.03 million of us are looking for jobs. The unemployment level and rate have not been higher since 1997. The Government’s $1.1 trillion pledge to boost the international economy is, in reality, a bit of a con. It’s not new money they’re pledging, it’s just a sum of what’s already been pledged, plus a bit more. So, as well as shaking our fist at Gordon Brown, what can we actually do to survive the recession? Those of us that still have our jobs, are lucky; don’t rub it in. Those of us who are struggling to find work might want to consider an alternative career. It may be hard to fathom, during such a financially lean couple of years, but some industries have increased their annual profit on last year’s, and the proof is lining their pockets.

Sinners
Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling and Pornography are recession proof regulars. You can bet your last few pennies on the fact that these industries will thrive during a recession. Unemployed people will drink, smoke and gamble to combat depression and boredom. The alcohol industry appears to be the outperformer and no. 1 vice according to Nielson data. In the US, sales of spirits, at retailers like supermarkets and liquor stores rose 1.2 percent by volume in the four weeks ending on 15th November 09.The World Health Organization estimates that the number of smokers will grow from 1.3 billion today to 1.7 billion by 2025, with the bulk of new puffers coming from developing countries in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Chompers
Cadbury has bucked the economic downturn after announcing that they have increased their sales by 30 percent. Sales of Dairy Milk and trident gum have risen by 11percent. Tod Stitzer, chief executive of Cadbury, said that when times are tough, people buy affordable treats. “Chocolate and chewing gum are performing well as consumers seek to comfort themselves with brands they are familiar with.” I wonder if gum chewing veteran, Alex Ferguson is feeling the pinch?

Watchers
People aren’t really going out any more, but if they do, they’re going to the nearest Cineplex to get their jollies. Cineworld’s sales have risen by 4.4 percent as people opt for cheaper entertainment. Chairman, Anthony Bloom said “Movies have an enduring appeal and a visit to the cinema is relatively low cost when compared with other forms of leisure and entertainment.” The people need escapism and they need it now. Europe’s largest online DVD and games rental service, LOVEFiLM.com, has also had a phenomenal year: “[We've had] 40 per cent increase in memberships since the credit crunch began”

Eaters
UK citizens are reverting back to good old British cuisine; pizza, burgers, kebabs, Indian and Chinese, to curb their spending. In the new, post Jamie Oliver, credit crunch crisis, fast food chains are raking it in. Dominos have slashed their prices as their sales increase, KFC recently announced a huge expansion drive which will create 9,000 jobs and 300 new outlets and McDonalds increased their sales by 7.6 percent in the final quarter of 2008. We won’t need to buy clothes, we’ll have our fat to keep us warm.

The Prime shaker; mover and cure of all ill’s
When we’re all obese, complaining of heart and liver disease, and coughing up parts of our blackened lungs, we’ll need people to fix us. The health services will always thrive off of the nation’s ill health, which appears to deteriorate when people are jobless and therefore aggrieved. Judith Mackenzie, a partner at Acuity Capital, explains that the health care sector is naturally resistant to recession, “Performance has been exceptionally resilient in the UK and the [industry] is still experiencing growth.