European Inflation Falls In October

Inflation in Europe fell in October according to Eurostat. Euro area inflation fell 0.1% from 2.6% in September to 2.5% in October. EU annual inflation was 2.6% in October down from 2.7% in September. The annual comparison also shows a decrease in inflation in the euro area from 3% and in the EU27 from 3.4% last year. The lowest annual rates in October were seen in Greece, Sweden and Latvia and the highest in Hungary, Romania and Estonia. The lowest annual averages were in Sweden, Greece and Ireland and the highest in Hungary, Estonia and Poland. In the euro area the main components for annual rates were transport, alcohol and tobacco and housing and the lowest in communiactions, recreation and culture, clothing and household equipment. The monthly rate were mainly affected by clothing and education, alcohol and tobacco and the lowest for transport, communications, recreation and culture and hotels and restaurants.

Inflation Falls For Fourth Month In A Row

The CPI annual inflation fell 0.4% from 2.8% in May to 2.4% in June 2012 according to data from the ONS. The index has fallen for three consecutive months. It at its lowest since November 2009 when it stood at 1.9%.

Clothing and footwear, transport and food and non-alcoholic beverages made the most difference downwards. Upward pressure came from recreation and culture.

RPI stands at 2.8% in June down from 3.1% in May.

Creative Industries Statistics

The creative industries contribution to the economy accounted for 2.89% of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2009 an increase of 0.07% on 2008 in relative terms but in absolute terms GVA decreased by 1% from £36.6bn to £36.3bn. The biggest contribution to UK GVA from the creative industries came from publishing with 0.92%, then advertising with 0.55% and TV and radio with 0.38% (figures from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)). The sector accounted for 10.6% of UK exports in 2009 of which publishing and TV and radio accounted for the greatest exports of services with 3.1% and 2.6% respectively. There were 106,700 creative businesses in the UK in 2011, up to 5.1% from 4.9% in 2009 and 108,820 creative local units, an increase from 4.2% in 2009 to 4.3%. The biggest contribution to the number of businesses came from music and visual performing arts with 30,460 or 1.46% of enterprises and 1.21% of local units in 2011. Advertising accounted for 16,101 businesses or 0.77% of UK total and design 14,720 or 0.71%. Creative businesses employed 1.5m people directly or in a creative role in another industry. It amounts to 5.14% of UK employment. It is a small increase on 2008 when the number was 1.44m or 4.99% of UK employment. The music and visual and performing arts were the largest employers in the creative industries sector with 300,000 employees in 2009 or 1% of UK employment. Next came advertising with 0.92% of employment and 268254 people employed, then publishing with 0.84% and 243,809 people.

Inflation Stands At 3.4%

CPI inflation stands at 121.8 or a percentage change of 3.4% in February 2012 according to a statistical bulletin from the ONS. RPI inflation stands at 3.7%. The annual rate is the lowest since November 2010.

The biggest downward pressure on the CPI came from domestic electricity and gas, recreation and culture and transport. The biggest upward pressure came from alcohol off sales and vegetables.

On the monthly comparison the CPI rose by 0.6% between January and February 2012 compared with 0.7 a year ago. The biggest upward pressure on the monthly comparisdon came from clothing and footwear, food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport and furniture. The biggest downward pressure came from housing and household services.

Inflation Down To 4.2%

The latest bulletin from the ONS on consumer inflation says that annual inflation has fallen to 4.2% in June 2011 from 4.5% in May. The government target is 2%. Recreaton and culture provided the main downward pressure for the decrease. In particular games, toys and hobbies were the main contributor along with pressure from audio visual equipment price discounting. Upward pressure came from a variety of food products.

The CPI fell by 0.1% between May and June 2011 due mainly to downward pressure from recreation and culture particularly computer games, photographic equipment, data processing equipment, recording equipment and books and also from clothing and footwear as some summer sales began in women's fashion. Upward pressure came from food and drink mainly bread and cereals, meat and milk, cheese and eggs. Mineral waters, soft drinks and juices helped to offset the increase. The RPI stands at 5% in June.

Inflation Up To 4%

The latest inflation data from the ONS says that CPI annual inflation now stands at 4% from 3.7% in December. The government target for CPI is 2%. The main contributory factors were petrol and diesel prices, restaurants and cafes, furniture and furnishings, alcoholic beverages and vehicle purchases. Two important factors that also made an impact were the increase in VAT and the price of crude oil. Downward pressure on the CPI came from recreation and culture, banking services and clothing and footwear. The RPI increased from 4.8% in December to 5.1% in January 2011.

The all items CPI hasn't been higher since November 2008, non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants and hotels and petrol haven't been higher since records began.

Consumer Inflation At 3.2%

Annual inflation increased from 3.1% in September to 3.2% last month according to figures released by ONS. The main upward pressure for the change came from petrol and diesel, financial services and games, toys and hobbies (mainly computer games bought in shops rather than online) and the main downward pressure came from food prices. Vegetable prices fell 1% and meat prices were unchanged but went up last year. The index stands at 115.2.

There was an increase of 0.3% over the month. The most significant contributions came from recreation and culture (games, toys and hobbies 1.9% and cultural services 1.7%) and transport (fuels and lubricants 1.8%). Downward pressure over the month came from furniture, household equipment and maintenance (furniture and furnishings -3.4%) and clothing and footwear (-0.7% largely from garments).

Inflation Falls To 3.1%

CPI annual inflation fell last month to 3.1% from 3.2% in June. Second-hand cars and fuel were the main downward factors between June and July but as in June there were downward contributions from clothing and footwear and additionally from recreation and culture. Upward pressure came from food and non-alcoholic beverages and furniture and household goods. The index stood at 114.3 down from 114.6 in May (2005=100).

CPI Inflation Falls To 3.2% In June

Headline CPI inflation for June 2010 was 3.2%, down from 3.4% in May and stood at 114.6 (2005=100). The main contributors to the fall in the annual CPI were undoubtedly falling petrol and diesel prices and it was also helped by a record fall in June sales prices for clothing and footwear. Upward pressure on inflation came mainly from rises in air fares and increased insurance premiums.

The CPI rose 0.1% between May and June 2010 but the changes are within the normal range for that period. The main causes of the monthly changes were increases in the prices of computer games ands consoles within the recreation and culture category, increased European and long-haul air fares and a record increase for May to June of 5.7% in transport insurance premiums. The downward pressure from clothing and footwear of a 2.1% fall in prices was due mainly to women's outerwear.

The all-items RPI and the RPIX (RPI excluding mortgage payments) increased by 5% from 5.1% in May. The RPIY (excluding mortgage payments and indirect taxes) increased by 3.8%.

Inflation Up 3.7%

The CPI for May rose by less than in April but it is still far higher than the Government target of 2%. It rose by 3.7% in April. The index was 114.4. The RPI at 223.6 rose by 5.1% down from 3.7% last month. The RPIX (RPI excluding mortgage interest payments) rose to 222.8 or by 5.1%, down from 5.4% the previous month.

The main contributory sectors to the change in the CPI were food and non-alcoholic beverages chiefly meat and in particular pork and fruit particularly grapes. Vegetables also had a small downward effect. Transport also had a downward effect as did the purchase of new cars and road passenger transport. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, recreation and culture both had large downward effects. Books had a small upward effect. Housing and household services provided the only large upward contribution.

The RPI experienced a large downward contribution from food, fruit particularly grapes and mayonnaise and meat. Motoring expenditure and the purchase of motor vehicles made downward effects. The price of alcohol rose but by less than a year ago. Small downward contributions came from leisure services in particular foreign holidays, tobacco prices rising by less than a year ago and from household services again prices rising by less than a year ago. A small upward contribution was made by household goods where there were price rises. Furniture, in particular, kitchen base units provided the upward effect partially offset by a downward effect from furnishings.

European Annual Inflation Goes Up To 1.5%

Annual inflation in the euro area went up to 1.5% in April from 1.4% in March, according to the HICP from Eurostat. The monthly rate was 0.5% in April 2010. EU annual inflation was up to 2% in April from 1.9% in March. Last year it was 1.3%. The monthly inflation rate was 0.4%.

At the national level, the lowest rate of HICP inflation was in Latvia with -2.8% and then Ireland with -2.5%. They were the only negative rates this month. The highest rates of inflation were in Hungary 5.7%, Greece 4.7% and Romania with an inflation rate of 4.2%.

The main components contributions were from energy 9.1%, transport 5.9% and alcohol and tobacco with 4.2%. The lowest contributions were from recreation and culture -1%, communications -0.6% and food with a negative percentage of 0.2%.

Inflation Down to 3%

The CPI rose by 3% in the year to February to 112.9. In January it had been 3.5%. The RPI in February was 219.2 an increase of 3.7%. The RPI excluding mortgage interest payments was 4.2% up, down from 4.6% in January.

Recreation and culture provided the main downward contribution as prices remained unchanged over the survey period of January and February. Within this group the games, toys and hobbies sector was the main factor and in particular computer games and pre-school activity toys. Books, particularly non-fiction, also made a significant contribution. Clothing and footwear provided the only upward contribution particularly women's outerwear due to prices rising more than they did last year. Hotel accomodation provided a small upward contribution in the hotels and restaurants sector.

Housing provided the largest upward contribution to the RPI mainly due to mortgage interest payments. House depreciation also had an effect. Clothing and footwear added to the increase in the RPI. Fares and other travel particularly air fares also helped increase the RPI. Downward contributions came from motoring expenses, where fuel price increases were lower than last year, leisure and household goods and off-sales wines and spirits within the alcoholic beverages sector.

CPI At 3% In February

The CPI rose by 3% in the year to February to 112.9. In January it had been 3.5%. The RPI in February was 219.2 an increase of 3.7%. The RPI excluding mortgage interest payments was 4.2% up, down from 4.6% in January.

Recreation and culture provided the main downward contribution as prices remained unchanged over the survey period of January and February. Within this group the games, toys and hobbies sector was the main factor and in particular computer games and pre-school activity toys. Books, particularly non-fiction, also made a significant contribution. Clothing and footwear provided the only upward contribution particularly women's outerwear due to prices rising more than they did last year. Hotel accomodation provided a small upward contribution in the hotels and restaurants sector.

Housing provided the largest upward contribution to the RPI mainly due to mortgage interest payments. House depreciation also had an effect. Clothing and footwear added to the increase in the RPI. Fares and other travel particularly air fares also helped increase the RPI. Downward contributions came from motoring expenses, where fuel price increases were lower than last year, leisure and household goods and off-sales wines and spirits within the alcoholic beverages sector.

Inflation Hits 3.5%

The Governor of the Bank of England had to write to the Prime Minister to explain the fact that CPI inflation hit 3.5% in January. It is the second largest ever increase in the annual rate between 2 months. There was a 1% increase in the annual rate between November and December. CPI records began in 1996. The all items CPI is 112.4 down from 112.6 in December a change of 0.2% and although the index took a downward movement it is the greatest growth ever for those two months.

Both of these record movement can be at least partially explained by the 15% to 17.5% increase in VAT in January which also affected RPI. Another factor was the price of crude oil. The all goods CPI annual rate is 3.9% from 3.2% last month and the all services CPI annual rate is 3% from 2.6% last month.

The all items RPI in January was 217.9 down from 218 in December, the annual rate being 3.7% from 2.4%. The RPIX (excluding mortgage interest payments) was 4.6% from 3.8%. The all goods index was 169.3 from 169.7 or an annual rate of 6.5% from 5.3%. The all services index was 288.6 from 288.2, or an annual rate of 3.1% from 2.8% last month.

The largest upward contribution to the annual rate of CPI was from transport. Within transport the largest contribution came from a 2.2% rise in the price of fuels and lubricants compared with a fall of 3.4% last year. There were also large upward contributions from maintenance and repairs and the purchase of new and second hand cars. These were partially offset by a fall in prices in fares particularly in long-haul routes and sea transport. Another significant upward contribution came from recreation and culture where recording media particularly DVD purchases were significant along with subscriptions to cable and digital television.

Housing was a significant contributor to the increase in the RPI where mortgage interest payments rose this year but fell a year ago. After housing came motoring expenses mainly petrol and oil. Tobacco was also a significant contributor along with food, alcohol and household services, fuel and light and leisure goods.

Inflation Up In October

Both the all items CPI and the all items RPI were up in October. The annual rate for the CPI was 1.5% from 1.1% and for the RPI -0.8% from -0.1.4% last month. The annual rate for the RPIX was also up from 1.9% from 1.3% last month.

Looking at goods and services separately, the CPI for goods was 108.4 up from 108.3 giving an annual rate of 0.8% from 0.0% last month. The RPI all goods index was unchanged at 168.1. The all services index under the CPI was 115.7 from 115.4 at a rate of 2.3% down from 2.5% last month and for the RPI it was 285.1 from 283.8 and the rate is unchanged at 2.1%. The Tax and Price Index (TPI) for October was 192.9 from 192.2, or a rate of -1.6% up from -2.3% in September.

Transport contributed a large upward effect on the CPI due to falling prices in fuels and lubricants. Other noteworthy effects came from recreation and culture with price rises from the recording media in particular DVDs, games, toys and hobbies, food and non-alcoholic beverages and communications due to increases in landline telephone charges. A small upward effect came from furniture and household goods. Downward effects came mainly from miscellaneous goods and services in particular banking services, and education due to the effect of the increase in university fees. Housing and household services made a small contribution. These variations were reflected in the RPI with motoring expenditure the largest upward effect due to petrol and oil prices, housing in particular housing depeciation, food principally non-seasonal food, fares and other travel, household goods and services (furniture, telephones) , personal goods and services and leisure goods also made an impression.

Food Helps CPI Rate Stay The Same

The CPI rate of inflation rose by 1.8% the same amount as in June with the index at 110.9 compared with 111.0 in June. The RPI fell by 1.4% over the same period compared with a fall of 1.6% to June. The RPIX rose by 1.2% from 1.0% in June.

The largest contribution to the downward trend cam from food and non-alcoholic beverages. Meat prices are falling this year but were rising a year ago across a range of products. vegetables also contributed a large downward effect and bread and cereals a smaller effect. Other downward effects came from hotels and retaurants, particularly restaurants and cafes and especially take-aways and accomodation services. Housing and household services alse feature due to fuel costs. Within this grouping regular maintenance and repairs had an effect offsetting and upward effect from rents.

Recreation and culture provided the biggest upward contribution mainly games, toys and hobbies but with small effect from an increase in the prices of computer games and DVDs. Small price rises in alcoholic beverages andf tobacco also contributed a small increase.

Motoring expenditure made the biggest upward contribution to the RPI. Car prices rose this year compared to last and tax and insurance premiums also rose by more than last year. A large downward contribution from petrol and oil helped offset these effects where prices rose more slowly than last year. Other large downward contributions came from fuel and light, fares and other travel costs. Large upward contributions came from household goods, housing, household services and leisure goods.

Am I My Brother's Guardian? - Risks In International Marketing

The globalisation process has meant radical changes all over the world. Global competition affects everything everywhere. For many people the world has got a lot smaller in terms of geographical and cultural differences. Many businesses have been able to expand their market coverage. Companies are able to take advantage of new opportunities in selling and buying abroad (Kotler, 1999).

International firms may have to co-ordinate their operations functions across borders. The various departments of a company may take place in several countries. Those who want to 'Buy British' may have to carry out some research to find out where the parts, components, manufacturing and assembly of their desired items were carried out. British products are often made abroad and 'foreign' products made here (Kotler, 1999).

Global marketing means that more companies than ever are in strategic alliances with other companies from abroad to some degree. The need for technological and marketing resources is forcing companies to look for partners. Customers expectations are raised by these developments. 'More for less' is offered by many companies and customers are offered quality products at discount prices (Kotler, 1999).

At the same time consumers expect businesses to take responsibility for the social and economic impacts of their activities. Pressure groups are placing strict demands on companies regarding air, water and soil pollution, rain forests, global warming and endangered species (Kotler, 1999). Ethical requirements differ from one place to another. Business practices in some countries may create a moral dilemma for businesses with social and environmental policies (Brassington and Petitt, 2000).

Customers are more internationally oriented and suppliers have to follow. In the service industry it may be better to stay close to the customer and locate appropriately. Culture is important and understanding the conventions and etiquette of the local culture is vital (Brassington and Petitt, 2000).

The economic risks are also greater than before. International marketing involves exposure to exchange rate risks. Changing currency from home to host or some other agreed currency and then buying the item may involve a change in the exchange rate. The ERM reduces most of the uncertainty for members. A strong currency can put potential traders off. A weak pound favours exporters. High foreign country debt and inflation may be problematic. In poor countries the problem might be inability to pay. Entry requirements to host countries relate to a variety of working practices and marketing mix adaptation costs will also have to be considered (Jeannet and Hennessey, 1998, Kotler, 1999).

Businesses also face risk due to changes in the political climate affecting the way partners interact. A company could lose all of its investment in another country because of the influence of special interest groups and the prevailing political philosophy. A sudden change of power may lead to a hostile political climate. It is advisable to do a political risk assessment where there is any doubt about a potentially volatile political climate. The assessment can be integrated into risk reduction strategies to help with business continuity in the markets entered, to leave a market or not enter and to analyse genuine market opportunities (Jeannet and Hennessey, 1998).

Competitive behaviour and product liability regulations can be complex. International and supranational regulations can be contradictory or enforced differently. Complaints about unfair competition can be taken to the host country, the regional bloc, like the EU, or global bodies like the WTO.

The broadening of marketing boundaries brought about by globalisation and the complete changes in Eastern Europe has produced trends of trade liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation (Jeannet and Hennessey, 1998). It will bring opportunities and competition. Systems and structures can be developed to exploit the opportunties that arise.

It's A Matter Of Choice

Down the ages we have made use of our intellect to make cultural progress. It is not restricted to the empirical sciences but extends to realities known only to the mind. It finds its perfection in wisdom. Wisdom leads us along the right path. It is a matter of choice.

Conscience is the place where there is always a voice calling to us to do good and avoid evil. Individually and collectively, when a correct conscience prevails people can turn aside from subjective choices to the guidance of the objective moral order. We may sometimes however act in ignorance. It is only in freedom that man can choose good. People are right to prize freedom. True freedom is a great sign. Dignity demands that we decide freely and consciously. Dignity comes from choosing what is good and securing the means to that end (Gaudium et spes, 1965).

We must have a well-formed conscience (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1783, 1994). Man cannot decide for himself what is good and evil or know them. The gift of conscience enables us to reflect on the moral order. God is the first and sovereign source of the moral order. Religionists are always under pressure to reject God (Dominum et vivificantem, 1986). The people who think that the association of human activity and religion endangers our autonomy are obviously wrong to people who believe in God. The controversy can occasionally lead to the mistaken belief that there is an opposition between faith and science. We should be proud to integrate our human, scientific and technical enterprises with religious and philosophical values and co-operate with others working towards the same objectives (Gaudium et spes, 1965).