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The Russian recession has caused sales for luxury goods to drop. Many companies that sell luxury or tourism goods have seen the demand for their product significantly decrease since the recession. This is because these products have a negative income elasticity so as income decreases so does the demand for these products. The demand for tour groups and hotels has also decreased because of the recession. Since all of theses products have a negative elasticity once the income of the buyers in Russia decreases then so will the demand for them.

This article discusses the impact of the Russian recession on demand for luxury goods. The recession has decreased the income and spending power of many Russians which has resulted in a decrease in a demand for luxury goods (clothing, jewelry, etc.) and services (airfare, hotels, etc.). The demand for luxury goods is very elastic. This is because luxury goods are not necessities and consumers can survive without them. These goods often have a reasonable number of substitutes. They also require a relatively high proportion of income to be spend on them and are used over a long period of time. The Russian recession has impacted firms across the globe but especially in Europe where Russian consumers account for a large percentage of customers.

One of the main things we talked about or that stood out to me was how the income of the indivisible affected demand of a good and it seems we all came to a consensus that luxury goods are most affected by changes in income. In the article a BMW car company speaks out it's total revenue has been decreasing as the economy is slowing down . Over the past 5 years China has been experiencing periods of economic downturn and car sales were declining drastically people were even canceling orders, however, increased government action led to a period of economic growth in the third year which increased sales by 4% or so. But things slowed down again this year and Song ( an owner of the company ) talked about how he had to cut prices even further from 4%- 20% just to increase consumer demand even though it only made a slight difference because people's income have decreased they can't spend as much money as they used to on luxury products such as BMW cars or multiple cars, they are now focused on saving money.

I agree that the demand for luxury cars has declined as a result of decreased economic growth in China. Shares of some luxury car companies have dropped by more than 30% in the last year while shares of an inexpensive compact car manufacturer have increased more than 20%. The demand for luxury cars is very elastic. These cars are a luxury, not a necessity. Luxury goods take up a relatively large proportion of income and are used over a long period of time. There are a relatively high number of substitutes for luxury goods. In China, customers are choosing to purchase inexpensive cars rather than luxury vehicles in order to save money.

The price of coffee has been going up and will keep at it but this doesn't seem to affect demand as demand is still increasing. Now quality is not affected by price. These can be based on the fact that the product is addictive and not many substitutes will suffice. Some even think of it as a ritual every morning.

I agree that coffee is inelastic because it is typically contains caffeine which is an addictive drug. People are addicted to coffee and depend on it as part of their daily lives. They cannot function without it, or are at least unwilling to. Therefore, consumers will continue to purchase coffee despite rising prices. Coffee drinkers also enjoy the last of coffee and are not willing to switch to other caffeine filled drinks such as tea or soda because they are not close enough substitutes. In fact, coffee consumption has actually increased despite rising prices. Consumers will not change their tastes unless prices become drastically higher.

i agree with the point that the change in qunatity demanded is not very significant. This is due to the fact the coffee is a habit forming good and addictive to most coffee addicts. However it also depends on the proportion of income spent on the good. Coffee prices can range from being dirt cheap at hawker centres to expensive at cafes like Starbucks. Hence even if the consumer is not a coffee addict, and only a small proportion of income ( if it is 'insignificant' ) is spent on the good, then a change in price will not affect the spending behaviour ; demand is price inelasic

This article, published by Fortune Magazine on October 3, 2015, describes how the decline in global commodity prices has led to economic problems in developing countries. Also, these falling prices have impacted sellers of valuable primary sector goods such as the Middle East's Gulf States, which supply oil to much of the world.