Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Sat nav replaces Brussels sprouts in the UK's shopping baskets

Sat nav, small flat-panel TVs and mobile ringtones have replaced video recorders, portable TVs and ghetto blasters in the UK's shopping baskets.

The annual review of spending on key items, used to gauge inflation, has given its usual fascinating insight into changing consumer trends.

Olive oil and electric fans are added to the "inflation basket", replacing Brussels sprouts and vegetable oil.

Other diverse additions to the 2007 basket include digital radios, courgettes, and fizzy drinks bought from vending machines.

On the other hand, goods which were once a symbol of technological progress, such as the Walkman cassette player and the 35mm compact camera, have disappeared.

Brie, once a regular feature of upmarket picnics, has also been excluded along with children's wellington boots, non-designer sunglasses and the outdoor plant pot.

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