[ssf] consumer capitalism madness!

[dave thompson]

hi, 
just saw this in the Guardian its also on all the
discussion boards, Edmonton is rather a poor place,
but
this is crazy, shopping really is the new religion...


dt

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1409738,00.html

Midday update
Chaos at Ikea opening

Mark Oliver
Thursday February 10, 2005

Police outside the new Ikea store in Edmonton, north
London, forced to close after overcrowding at its
opening
Police outside the new Ikea store in Edmonton, north
London, forced to close after overcrowding at its
opening. Photograph: Johnny Green/PA
 

At one minute past midnight last night, Ikea's new
flagship store opened in north London. Managers
expected that around 2,000 bargain-hunters would
quietly file in: the British, after all, have a
reputation for being decorous queuers.

But Ikea had not predicted that up to 6,000 people
would descend on the new store, in Edmonton, with a
stampede to get in resulting in a frightening crush.

Thousands had been lured by bargains - some of which
were only available until 3am even though a 24-hour
opening was planned - such as 500 leather sofas for
only £45. Cars were abandoned on the roadside as
shoppers attempted to reach the store in time to
secure the best offers.

Six people were taken to hospital, including a man in
his 20s who was stabbed nearby at around 1.30am. He
was said to be in a stable condition, and it was not
clear whether the incident was related to the opening.
The chaos meant the new store - the 12th and biggest
to open in the UK - had to close just over 40 minutes
after opening because of what Ikea described as the
"unforeseen numbers".    


		
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