Dutch consumer spending rises for first time in 2.5 years

Dutch consumer spending rose a marginal 0.2 percentage point in November, the first time there has been an increase in 2.5 years, the national statistics office CBS says on Friday.

In particular, there was an increase in new car sales. Clothes and shoes were also more in demand, the CBS says.

Despite the slight improvement, ABN Amro economists say in a report on Friday they do not expect consumer spending to recover fully until 2015.

Households are still struggling to balance their books because disposable income fell by 6% between 2008 and 2013 while living costs rose 12%, the ABN Amro economists say.

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