Recession bit of a has-bean, stats show

HERE’S some food for thought – beans means recovery.

Official statistics indicate the Irish economy is showing signs of picking up.

Shoppers are starting to spend again, houses are beginning to sell and the rate at which people are joining dole queues is falling. But another, less well known indicator is also hinting at an economic recovery – sales of baked beans.When times are tough the sale of baked beans generally increases, but in recent months growth in bean sales has been slowing.