Among the volume’s most revealing facts, it appears that the UK consumer is continuing to spend money generally, but is doing so in a more sensible manner than in previous years. In this sense, the increase in total spend on financial products and services has turned it into the fastest growing retail area. In addition, the technological revolution and its widening impact, along with the uptake of the green ethos in its many guises, emerge as two of the most important new consumer trends.

Demographically, the research points to a number of important population characteristics. The over 55 year old "Greys" are continuing to exert increasing consumer power, partly due to the fact that older men are living longer and more healthily than before. Those of early retirement age also represent an affluent and time-rich market, and one whose numbers are growing daily. At the same time, the number of births to women aged 30-34 is now higher than that of women aged 25-29 year old. Again, the increased affluence of these first time mothers offers significant market potential.

In terms of the UK housing structure, Mintel predicts that single person households will represent over three in ten of all 2005 households. This compares with the previous level of a quarter of all 1990 households. Nevertheless, the rate of growth in this type of household is now thought to be slowing. This is partly as a result of the increase in the number of remarriages (or re-cohabiting). And in terms of marriage itself, the overall level is continuing to fall steadily, whilst the ratio of divorces to marriages is continuing to rise steadily. The findings indicate that six out or every 10 new marriages will eventually end in divorce by the mid 2000s as well.