This week, the U.K. announced changes to the basket of goods it uses to calculate inflation rates. From the perspective of "stuff I'd like to own" the new list is more appealing than the old list—disposable cameras have been dropped, Blu-ray DVD players and computer games with accessories have been added, allergy meds now appear on the list as well. (If it weren't for the lip gloss, that list is also more evidence of the ascendancy of nerds.)
The Daily Mail, which produced the chart above, naturally focuses on the fact that this is the final, official sign that lipstick is so out, and lip gloss is so in. But there are some other interesting things going on as well.
One of the goals of updating the basket is to capture how much it costs to buy, you know, the stuff that typical people typically buy. This means that the contents of the basket have changed a lot since the U.K. started collecting these stats in 1947. A little digging turns up this U.K. Office for National Statistics report with baskets of goods from the misty past. Key quote:
"In 1947, the basket included many items which are not present in today’s basket like wild rabbits, mangles, corsets, candles and wireless licences."
Other items of interest:
Milk products
- 1947: condensed milk, dried milk
- 2005: Fresh cream, flavoured milk, yoghurt, fromage frais, chilled pot dessert
Fresh fruit
- 1947: Cooking apples, oranges, bananas
- 2005: Apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, pears, peaches, kiwi fruit, organic fruit
Household consumables
- 1947: Soap, soap powder, soap flakes, soda, polishes, matches, writing paper, cleaning powder
- 2005: Washing powder, washingup liquid, dish washer tablets, Light bulbs, aluminium foil, toilet rolls, kitchen roll, fabric conditioner, bin liners, household cream cleaner, cleaning cloths, bleach, ball point pen, wrapping paper, envelopes, greeting card, printer paper, inkjet cartridge, clear sticky tape, batteries
The proliferation of items in each category reflects the fact that the list of goods has grown more detailed over the years. But one reason it has grown more detailed is to reflect the proliferation of choices.
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¢|3.18.10 @ 12:27PM|#
A fine selection of inflation-resistant and deflating goods. The future's so tight, I got a corset joke somewhere around here.
Robert Enders|3.18.10 @ 12:29PM|#
They should just use the cost of commodities and raw materials to calculate inflation and cost of living. High tech gadgets get cheaper over time, and can serve as a drag on the inflation rate.
Pedant|3.18.10 @ 12:30PM|#
As this is a British list, there should be no comma between "avocado" and "pears".
Jason|3.18.10 @ 12:40PM|#
The authors went to Oxford.
|3.18.10 @ 12:30PM|#
It's ALUMINUM, not ALUMINIUM, you damn Limeys.
The Art-P.O.G.|3.18.10 @ 1:32PM|#
They like superfluous vowels a lot more in England.
EJM|3.18.10 @ 2:18PM|#
Not to mention superfluous consonants ("pitta bread").
canada goose jackets|9.11.10 @ 2:31PM|#
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|3.18.10 @ 12:34PM|#
Lipstick or lip gloss, either way, sales of cosmetics seem to remain about as non-cyclical as pharmaceuticals.
http://www.smartmoney.com/sectormaps/?sector=Consumer, non-cyclical&story=maps&hpadref=1
Has anyone else noticed that there seem to be more women out there who are so ready to leave whomever they're with? ...except for the financial part?
Recessions reshuffle all sorts of opportunities.
Benny|3.18.10 @ 12:37PM|#
Sticky tape!
Kanye West|3.18.10 @ 12:38PM|#
Yeah, I like processed fish, frozen fish in breadcrumbs/batter. Yeah.
|3.18.10 @ 12:39PM|#
Mmm, garlic bread. Better yet, garlic bread with cheese.
Kolohe|3.18.10 @ 12:46PM|#
(If it weren't for the lip gloss, that list is also more evidence of the ascendancy of nerds.)
I suppose it depends where one puts goths in the taxonomy.
Ragin Cajun|3.18.10 @ 12:49PM|#
What about Spam? Is Spam still in?
Warty|3.18.10 @ 1:07PM|#
It's pining for the fjords.
Ragin Cajun|3.18.10 @ 1:24PM|#
Bloody Vikings!
|3.18.10 @ 1:13PM|#
Odd how the proliferation of choices increased as we moved toward a free-market system. Remember that in '47 we were still a centrally-planned economy and were even adding exotic vegetables such as "potato" to the rationed list.
mick travis|3.18.10 @ 1:17PM|#
In 1947 the UK was still on post-war rationing and one of the poorest countries in Europe (besides the Irish) and remained one of the poorest until it joined the European market in the late 60s.
|3.18.10 @ 1:48PM|#
Am I supposed to think, then, that our choices haven't really proliferated over time?
mick travis|3.18.10 @ 2:10PM|#
Just an FYI
Disappointed Basket Recipient|3.18.10 @ 1:52PM|#
I was promised wild rabbits.
Alan Vanneman|3.18.10 @ 1:53PM|#
What's really missing: jet-paks!
|3.18.10 @ 1:55PM|#
I think I know what a "gas repair call-out charge" is, but I find it odd that they have such a thing as "central heating insurance."
robc|3.18.10 @ 2:48PM|#
Is telephone sanitizing in the list?
EJM|3.18.10 @ 2:13PM|#
Since PepsiCo is responsible for 7 Up in the UK, the British are deprived of our Sierra Mist.
The Art-P.O.G.|3.18.10 @ 3:17PM|#
It's a freakin' tragedy!
JD|3.18.10 @ 2:20PM|#
In 1947, the British had to pay for a wireless license, but today they have to pay for a TV license. Now _that's_ progress for you!
Slut Bunwalla|3.18.10 @ 3:07PM|#
What the fuck is a cooking apple?
|3.18.10 @ 4:00PM|#
Some apples are good for cooking but not so good for eating raw.
Invisible Finger|3.18.10 @ 4:04PM|#
Blue-Ray players should not be on the list - they are there to be an artificial depressant on prices so that government COLAs will be lower. They know the price is going to drop AND it's usually a one -time cost, it's not like people buy a new player every year. (We can safely ignore the 5% of people who have more players than TV's and other upgrade freaks who can't stand having electronics over 2 years old.)
Syd Henderson|3.18.10 @ 6:43PM|#
Digital cameras would be better.
|6.5.10 @ 12:48AM|#
Because the inflation is getting higher year by year, its good to buy your own home accessories and electronics accessories. However, I think the electronics market is growing rapidly, so the consumer won't face a lot of problem to buy products like camera, DVD, TV and other electronics accessories in cheap rate than other consumer durable products. regards used cisco 2600