The fortunes of retail insurance holders next year will rest on the general election, it has been claimed.
According to Richard Perks, director of retail research at business intelligence group Mintel, a tough budget and interest rate rises after the election will put pressure on consumers.
He predicted that the business landscape for retail insurance customers will change little before voters go to the polls.
"It is going to be a year of two halves. From the election onwards I think things are going to get difficult and I think 2011 will be very tough as well," added Mr Perks.
He went on to say that interest rate rises are unlikely to appear before the autumn of 2010.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this month showed that the volume of retail sales in November was 3.1 per cent higher than the same month in 2008.
