Page 33 - BOSS Today Issue 29

At a glance:

40% of companies made net profits of 3% or more

32% said incidence of late payment by customers had improved
42% said they planned to make capital investment in training and retraining over the next 12 months

44% reported that they had employed more staff in the last 3 months

49% claimed sales volumes had increased in the last quarter

63% expected output volumes to increase in the next three months

✱ Perceptions of the state of the ✱ With average stock levels
trade have taken a major turn stabilising, stock turn
for the worse. increased in Q2 to reverse
✱ Sales volumes have remained a general trend of decline
positive, but less so than in observed since Q1 2013.
previous quarters. ✱ Gross margins continue to be
✱ Output volumes fell into the fairly positive, indeed, much
negative on balance in Q2. more so than predicted.
✱ Survival of major customers ✱ Net profits have largely
has moved up one place to steadied in Q2
be the most widely-cited ✱ Investment intentions over
business concern; marginally the next 12 months continue
above competitor pricing. to be generally positive, but
✱ Employment results remain less so than in the previous
positive, despite the quarter.
downturn in optimism. ✱ Levels of bad debt have
✱ Average product prices are decreased both in June 2015
once again reported to have and over the previous 12
been largely unchanged on months.
balance in Q2.
✱ With employment levels n BOSS OUTLOOK IS
continuing to be strong FREE TO BOSS MEMBERS.
overall in Q2, staff costs TO DOWNLOAD THE
have also remained high. FULL REPORT VISIT
Distribution and energy costs www.bossfederation.com/
have steadied in Q2. outlook

September/October 2015 | BOSS TODAY 33

BOSS issue 28 DTB BO.indd 3 08/09/2015 11:41