The deterioration in the housing market, forecasts of continued high interest rates and escalating oil and food prices pushing inflation to a ten year high, are all determining factors pointing to a technical recession. It's not surprising that economists are forecasting that this year will see the global economy slowing to its weakest pace since 1992 with a major impact on consumer confidence out on the high street.

The retail sector is at the heart of the maelstrom and for many these conditions may pose a serious threat to growth in the short term and survival beyond that. Recessions are, however, a natural and necessary part of the economic cycle. They provide a distinctly Darwinian setup, where those participants that survive often come out stronger and increase market share in the up turn. And even in austere conditions such as this there is still money to be made.

Those that show real resilience will work on fundamentals. Williams Lea provides a focus on supply chain management through end-to-end integration of information from manufacturing to the shop floor. We enable cost reduction and safeguard competitiveness whilst protecting clients' corporate identity and brand. We excel in the provision of design and marketing execution and can manage entire print, procurement and product branding application through a global network of dedicated account teams. Williams Lea is a natural choice for retail companies committed to building strength and resilience into their infrastructure, capitalising on gains in efficiency and quality whilst effectively mitigating the risks implied by current economic outlook.