Closed for the holidays?

I’m just back from France where the slow pace of life drove me nuts! I can’t tell you how many stores and restaurants just never seemed to open. I’m assuming the country’s print businesses don’t hang out a ‘closed for the holidays’ sign throughout July and August. But it did get me thinking about productivity, and the fact that the UK is being hauled over the coals for being a pretty poor performer. Are there still plenty of to be made – and where?