Brexit is beginning to drag down Britain’s economy wrote Sarah Butler. This can have strange consequences:

• Consumer spending is showing signs of decline in Britain.
• Yet certain categories are up. Sales of lipstick have grown 31% in the three months leading up to June.
• In times of economic uncertainty spending on more essential items – like fridges – goes down while spending on spontaneous luxuries goes up.
• The effect was first noticed when, after 9/11, sales of lipstick shot through the roof.
• It’s thought that people try to be frugal in times of crisis but make small purchases of marginal luxuries to seek respite from the gloom.
• People buy frozen food to cut down on food wastage. But they bake more cakes at home for the experience and satisfaction of making something.

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