h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This was the headline for a story in yesterday's Daily Mail,(UK)

fROM THE ege:'But now in the naughty noughties it seems that the tie may be dying. And most men will not lament its passing'.

The D.Mail article says that 'Years of declining neckwear sales.... have been reversed as men choose to wear one in their own time'.

British men spent £158M on ties in 1999, but that had dropped to £154M by 2004, prompting predictions that they would become obsolete as office codes grew more and more informal and increasing numbers worked from home.Last year, howver, sales started to increase again, reaching £162M, and market researchers Mintel expect a steady rise over the next four years