Shops hoping for a Christmas lift are likely to bedisappointed because spending will stagnate as therecession bites, market research firm Mintel ispredicting.
Mintel市场咨询公司预测，由于金融危机，圣诞消费将会萎缩，所以想在圣诞节大赚一笔的商家很可能要失望了。
Christmas retail sales this year will stagnate,showing 0% growth--a marked contrast to theaverage 5% growth in seasonal spending seen eachyear since the start of the millennium.
今年圣诞零售业的消费将会萎缩，并出现零增长，这是2000年来的首次。之前的圣诞消费都保持着平均每年5%的增加速度。
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Since 2000 Christmas spending has grown by five per cent per year on average, according tothe firm. Last year it grew slightly, despite predictions it would stall.
该公司称，自2000年以来，圣诞消费每年呈5%的速度增长。尽管去年预计会停止增长，但实际数字却依旧有些许增幅。
But now the looming recession means people are looking to have a "much less indulgent"festive season, according to Richard Perks, Mintel's director of retail and financial research.
Mintel公司零售和金融研究主管理查德· 珀克斯说，如今的经济萧条意味着人们不会在节日里“放纵自己了”。
He said: "There is always a lot of emotional pressure to spend money and spoil everyone overthe festive season, and during the years of unprecedented boom time, many Brits enjoyedlavish Christmases. But this year, as budgets tighten, Christmas will become a much lessindulgent affair.
他说，在经济蓬勃发展的节日氛围里，人们总有消费欲望，好好款待自己。“但今年，由于手头紧，圣诞已不再是一个欢乐享受的事情了。”
Mintel's research found that nearly half of people (41 per cent) said they will be spending lessthis year--almost double the 22 per cent who said that last year.
Mintel公司的调查发现，有将近一半(41%)的受访者表示会比去年圣诞节花费少，这一数字几乎是2007年的二倍，当时只有22%的人作此表示。
Just 20% say they will still splash out at Christmas even though money is tight, a significantdrop on last year's 32%.
只有20%的人表示不论手头是否紧，都要一如既往地在圣诞花钱，而去年这一比例高达32%。
Only those young enough to be unburdened by mortgages and other financial commitments arelikely to continue spending freely, according to Mintel's research.
Mintel公司的调查显示，只有没有房屋贷款或其它经济负担的年轻人还是可能会一如既往地随意消费。
Mr Perks said: "Shops that target the under 25s, such as young fashion, games and those thatsell small electricals, should do relatively well this Christmas in comparison to other markets."
珀克斯说：“诸如销售新潮时装、游戏以及小电子产品的商家将目标定位在25岁以下的消费群，与其它市场相比，这些商店在圣诞节的销售会相对较好。”
"As a result, many retailers will be looking for ways to encourage people to part with theircash, and so we're likely to see discounting and end-of-year sales start before Christmas."
正因为经济不景气，许多商家会通过一些手段来刺激消费，比如圣诞节前的打折和年终促销。
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