Philips Even slower

Is European consumer demand slowing down? Results from bellwether Dutch conglomerate Philips suggest consumers aren’t feeling very perky. European sales fell 6% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, with the group’s consumer appliance and consumer electronics divisions leading the retreat. One may be tempted to pin the problems on perennially semi-troubled Philips. But this appears to be no isolated sign: recent results from mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson and Kor...