On Sep 20, 8:35*am, Rob G wrote:
If the dollar is now at $1.60 to the pound and was near enough $2 *a
year ago, then that's a 20% drop isn't it, which is near enough the
price change ?

Realise that much inventory was purchased around the peak US$:GBP
forex rate which was 2.36:1.00, freight shipment around that period
hit a record. The problem is whilst Western economies have devalued
"as-one" to avoid competitive devaluation, the Indo-China economies
have not - together with oil appreciating significantly to the 75$
level. Freight is as much forward contract oil price whether it be via
air or sea.

That said, Screwfix and others seems to have reigned in a) inventory
level and b) inventory stocked due to the recession. I suspect their
inventory turnover figure rocketed and they have over-reacted. Local
screwfix doesn't have even drill bits or basic light switches in
stock, everything is order in. People trudge to B&Q next door who then
run out, restock and wonder why it doesn't shift.