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South East Business Snapshot Survey Report Winter-Spring 2011

South East Business Snapshot Survey Report Winter-Spring 2011. Ref: 3992Q March 2011. Contents.

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South East Business Snapshot Survey Report Winter-Spring 2011

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  1. South East Business Snapshot Survey ReportWinter-Spring 2011 Ref: 3992Q March 2011

  2. Contents 1. Executive Summary2. Background, Objectives & Methodology3. Business Performance4. Business Trends5. Employment & Training 6. Business Investment 7. Costs & Finance8. Suppliers & Customer Base9. Business Profile

  3. 1. Executive Summary

  4. Executive Summary (1) • The research results highlight the difficult trading conditions facing the region’s businesses. Although the majority report stable business performance, the proportion of businesses reporting that overall business performance has worsened has increased over the last three months, as has those reporting lower domestic orders and volumes of sales. • Whilst there are few consistent patterns emerging by sector or by county, the research does point to some significant findings: • Businesses in the Financial & Business services sector, the largest sector of the region’s economy, have seen the most improvement in overall business conditions for the second consecutive quarter. • Businesses in the Construction & Manufacturing sectors report tougher trading conditions during the last three months. • Smaller businesses appear to have had the most difficult three months in terms of business performance. • Businesses in Berkshire and Oxfordshire were more likely to report improving conditions; those in Surrey are more likely to report worsening conditions.

  5. Executive Summary (2) • However, generally businesses in the area are slightly more optimistic about the business climate for the forthcoming three months, suggesting that perhaps (for some at least) the bottom of the market has been reached. In particular most sectors expect an upturn in domestic orders in the next 3 months. • There is more optimism in the ‘Hotels & Restaurants’ sector (perhaps a seasonal effect) but, understandably perhaps, there is less optimism for those in the ‘Public Sector/ Other Services’ sector. • One in ten businesses are heavily reliant on the public sector (accounts for 50% or more of their sales), and one in five expect to make changes as a result of the publics sector budget cuts. • Two thirds of the region’s businesses’ purchases come from the South East and about three quarters of sales generated are also from the South East.

  6. Executive Summary (3) • Inflation (rising transport and raw materials/ bought-in services costs) continues to rise and is an issue affecting the majority of businesses. Compared to Autumn 2010, slightly fewer have opted to absorb the cost increases rather than passing these on to the customer (possibly a result of the VAT rise). Businesses continue to report falling profit margins and lower cash flow levels, however these are expected to improve over the next three months. • Overall business investment has remained broadly stable in the last three months and it is likely that overall investment will remain unchanged in the next three months. • Staffing levels and investment in training have remained stable and are expected to be broadly unchanged in the coming 3 months. • Most businesses claim not to need any additional finance, although there has been a slight increase in the proportion who have considered finance (14% from 9% in Autumn 2010).

  7. 2. Background, Objectives, Methodology

  8. Research Background, Method & Objectives • This report presents the findings of the latest South East Business Snapshot Survey for Winter/ Spring 2011 conducted amongst businesses in the South East. • The research measures business performance on a range of key economic indicators, as well as business confidence (previous/ next three months). • Critical Research Ltd undertook the survey on behalf of SEEDA, the Regional Development Agency for the South East. • The survey was conducted by telephone between 7th February and 23rd February 2011. • In total 644 interviews were conducted. • All interviews were conducted with business respondents in a senior position. • In order to achieve a representative sample, quotas were set for county, industry sector and employee sizeband. • The results were then weighted to IDBR population counts for the South East by sector, county and employee sizeband. • Results are comparable to the Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Business Snapshot Surveys. • Where ‘Net Balance’ scores are shown, these are calculated by taking the proportion of those who say ‘decreased’ away from the proportion who say ‘increased’.

  9. Statistical Validity • When looking at comparisons by industry sector and county, we have focused on results that are statistically significant (indicated by blue boxes). • If a result is statistically significant, it means that the 19 times out of 20 the difference in the results would be ‘real’ and not due to chance or the research process. However if the base sizes of the results being compared are small, it increases the difference in the results required for them to be statistically significant. • For example, comparing two results where the base size is 80, the following approximate differences are required for the result to be significant: • A result of 50%, +/- 15% required to be significant • A result of 75%, +/- 12.5% required to be significant • A result of 90%, +/- 9% required to be significant • A minimum of 80 interviews was conducted in each county. It is worth noting that with these relatively small sample sizes, some differences between counties are likely to be due to differences in business profile by sector and size. • For the most recent two waves of the research, electricity, gas & water supply companies were included in the ‘Agriculture & Extraction’ sector instead of ‘Manufacturing’.

  10. Sample Profile The table below shows the number of interviews achieved (unweighted).

  11. 3. Business Performance

  12. Business Performance Last 3 months – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Overall performance over the past 3 months has been mixed. Almost half (42%) of businesses reported that it has remained stable, however over one in three said it had got worse (36%) and one in five said it had improved (22%). Compared to results in Autumn 2010, there has been a statistically significant increase (indicated by the blue box) in the proportion of businesses reporting that their performance has got worse (from 28% to 36%). This is now almost twice the level of 19% recorded a year ago. Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  13. Business Performance Last 3 months – by Company Size Medium sized businesses (10-49 employees) have performed better than smaller businesses in the last 3 months - they are significantly more likely to report an improvement in performance than those with fewer employees. Net Balance -14 -20 +16 +14 Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  14. Business Performance Last 3 months – by Age of Business More recently established businesses are more likely to report an improved business performance in the last 3 months – a trend continuing from Autumn 2010 - indicating that perhaps newer businesses are more adaptable. Net Balance -14 +16 +16 -27 Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  15. Business Performance Last 3 months – by County Performance across the region has been mixed. Businesses in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & West Sussex have enjoyed the strongest performance overall during the past 3 months, in contrast with those in Surrey. Net Balance -14 +2 -2 -2 -5 -16 -17 -22 -39 Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  16. Business Performance Last 3 months – by Sector Businesses in the largest sector, ‘Finance & Business Services’, have seen the most improvement, as was the case in Autumn 2010. In contrast, about half of businesses in both ‘Manufacturing’ and the ‘Construction’ sectors report that their business performance has got worse during the last 3 months. Net Balance -14 -2 -6 -7 -11 -20 -28 -31 -31 Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  17. Business Performance Last 3 months – Reasons for Improvement More sales and an increase in customers are the most commonly cited aspects of performance that have improved over the last 3 months. These feature more prominently as reasons for improvement than in the Autumn 2010 survey. Q2A. Which aspects of your business/ organisation’s performance have particularly improved? (Spontaneous) Base: All who believe that performance has improved = 168

  18. Business Performance Last 3 months – Reasons for Decline Businesses with declining performance report that there are fewer customers and less work available. Q2B. Which aspects of your business/ organisation’s performance have got worse? (Spontaneous) Base: All who believe that performance has got worse = 180

  19. Business Climate Expectations Next 3 months – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Expectations of the business climate in the next 3 months are mixed – 45% expect the business climate to remain stable, however 28% expect it to improve. A quarter (23%) expect the business climate to deteriorate. Compared to results in Winter/ Spring 2010, there has been a significant fall in the proportion of businesses expecting the business climate they operate in to get worse (from 32% to 23%), suggesting that perhaps the bottom of the downturn has been reached in early 2011. Q3. Over the next 3 months, do you expect the business climate in which your business/ organisation operates to improve, remain stable or generally get worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  20. Business Climate Expectations Next 3 Months – by Company Size Larger businesses (50+ employees) are more likely to believe there will be stability in the next 3 months. Smaller businesses (less than 50 employees) are slightly more optimistic, however this difference is not statistically significant. Net Balance +5 +5 +4 -2 Q3. Over the next 3 months, do you expect the business climate in which your business/ organisation operates to improve, remain stable or generally get worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  21. Business Climate Expectations Next 3 Months – by County Businesses in Kent are more optimistic than most – 41% expect the business climate to improve, significantly higher than the regional average of 28%. Hampshire & IoW and East Sussex are more likely to have experienced worsening performance, but are more likely to expect an improvement. Net Balance +5 +12 -11 -1 -6 +10 +20 +24 -16 Q3. Over the next 3 months, do you expect the business climate in which your business/ organisation operates to improve, remain stable or generally get worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  22. Business Climate Expectations Next 3 Months – by Sector Mixed opinions between and even within each sector. Over a third (41%) of businesses in the ‘Public Sector/ Other Services’ category expect the business climate to get worse in the next 3 months. In contrast, the ‘Hotels & Restaurants’ sector anticipates an improvement. Net Balance +5 +19 -18 -1 +15 +14 +22 +30 +5 Q3. Over the next 3 months, do you expect the business climate in which your business/ organisation operates to improve, remain stable or generally get worse? Base: All Respondents = 644

  23. Business Performance/ Expectations Combined The majority of businesses (57%) are experiencing uncertain business performance levels. 9% are experiencing continued growth, however 11% are in decline. There is stability for about one in four (23%). Segments defined according to responses to overall performance in the last 3 months and expected business climate in the next 3 months. ‘Growth’ businesses are defined those reporting that their business performance has improved in last 3 months, and they expect the business climate to improve in the next 3 months. ‘Stable’ businesses are defined as those reporting that their business performance has remained stable in the last 3 months and expect it to remain stable in the next 3 months. ‘Declining’ businesses are defined as those reporting that their business performance has declined in the last 3 months and expect a further decline in the next 3 months. For the remaining businesses there is no clear trend. Q1. Would you say that ,overall, your business/ organisation’s performance in the past 3 months has improved, remained stable or got worse?/ Q3. Do you expect the business climate in which your business/ organisation operates to improve, remain stable or generally get worse? (Base: All Respondents = 644)

  24. 4. Business Trends

  25. Business Trends Last 3 Months - Region Whilst overall there is relative stability in terms of the numbers employed and staff costs, the trend towards falling profit margins and cash flow continues, despite a net increase in prices charged. Performance in the domestic market and the volume of output is more negative compared to Autumn 2010 results. Net Balance -21 -0 -5 -14 +4 +9 -30 -26 Q4A. Excluding seasonal variations, what has been the trend during the past 3 months for each of the following...? I'm going to read out a list, for each one please tell me whether the trend has been higher, the same, or lower. Base: All Respondents = 644

  26. Business Trends Next 3 Months - Region Business expectations regarding domestic orders and the volume of output are more positive over the next 3 months. There is also more optimism regarding profit margins and cash flow. Prices charged, the number of staff employed and staff costs are expected to remain stable. Net Balance +9 +2 -2 +15 +6 +12 +3 +3 Q5A - H. Now thinking about the next 3 months, what are the expected trends for each of the following? I'm going to read out a list, for each one please tell me whether the trend has been higher, the same, or lower. Base: All Respondents = 644

  27. Business Trends Last 3 Months – Domestic Orders by Sector Generally businesses in all sectors are more likely to have reported falling sales than an increase in sales over the last 3 months. The ‘Hotels & Restaurants’ and ‘Construction’ sectors appear to be more stable. Domestic orders have fallen more sharply in the Transport & Communications (43% report falling sales) and the Manufacturing and Retail sectors (42% of businesses in both sectors report falling sales). Q4A. Domestic Orders. What has been the trend during the past 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  28. Business Trends Next 3 Months – Domestic Orders by Sector Generally businesses in most sectors are more optimistic about the next 3 months, although opinions in the ‘Finance & Business Services’ and ‘Transport & Communications’ sectors are less certain. Those in the ‘Retail, Motor & Wholesale’ sector are more likely to expect stable conditions. Q5A. Domestic Orders. What is the expected trend during the next 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  29. Current Business Capacity – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Over two thirds of businesses are operating below capacity. This represents a slight increase compared with Autumn 2010 results (from 63% to 69%). Businesses in the ‘Finance & Business Services ‘sector are significantly more likely to be operating below capacity (79%). Small businesses (1-9 employees) were also significantly more likely to be operating below capacity (73% compared to about half for larger businesses). Q6. Is your present level of output below capacity, that’s to say are you working below a full rate of operation? Base: All Respondents = 644

  30. 5. Employment & Training

  31. Employment Trends in Last 3 Months/ Next 3 Months - Region Employment levels are fairly static across the region – the majority (81%) of businesses report that the number of staff employed has remained the same over the last 3 months, and a similar proportion (80%) expect to remain the same over the next 3 months. There is little change compared to results in Autumn 2010. Businesses in the ‘Hotels & Restaurants’ sector were significantly more likely than the average to report a decrease in the number of staff employed in the last 3 months (20%) – a trend continuing from Autumn 2010. Larger businesses were more likely to report that staff levels had increased in the last 3 months (21% of those with 10-49 employees compared to 4% for those with 1-9 employees). Q4C. Numbers employed. What has been the trend during the past 3 months? Q5C. Numbers employed. What is the expected trend during the next 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  32. Investment in Training Last 3 Months/ Next 3 Months - Region The trend for investment in training or re-training has been fairly static during the last 3 months and is not expected to change in the next 3 months. There is little change compared to Autumn 2010. Businesses in the ‘Public Sector/ Other Services’ sector were more likely to have increased their investment in training in the past 3 months (24% ), and this trend is expected to continue. Businesses with 50+ employees are more likely to have invested in training in the last 3 months (26%) and are more likely to expect the amount they spend on training to increase in the next 3 months (30%). Q7E. Training and re-training. What has been the trend for investment in this during the past 3 months? Q8E. Training and re-training. What is the expected trend for investment in this during the next 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  33. 6. Business Investment

  34. Business Investment Trends Last 3 months – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 The picture for overall investment is mixed, although over half of businesses report that it has not changed during the last 3 months, about one in five report that it has increased, with a similar proportion reporting a fall. Q7F. On balance, what has been the trend for overall investment in the business during the past 3 months? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents = 644

  35. Business Investment Trends Next 3 Months – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Expected business investment levels in the next 3 months may increase slightly compared to the previous 3 months. Expected investment levels still represent a fall from expected levels reported in the Winter/ Spring 2010 survey, however there is an improvement compared to Autumn 2010. Q8F. On balance, what is the expected trend for overall investment in the business in the next 3 months? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents = 644

  36. Business Investment Trends Last 3 Months - Region For the majority of businesses investment levels for each category have remained broadly stable, although it is more variable for investment in Marketing & Sales. Q7A - E. What has been the trend during the past 3 months in relation to your investment in each of the following ...? Please tell me whether the trend has been higher, the same, or lower. Base: All Respondents = 644

  37. Business Investment Trends Next 3 Months - Region Levels of investment are generally not expected to change significantly over the next 3 months, however one in four businesses expect an increase in investment in marketing and sales, continuing the trend from Autumn 2010. Q8A - E. What is the expected trend in the next 3 months in relation to your investment in each of the following ...? Please tell me whether the trend is likely to be higher, the same, or lower. Base: All Respondents = 644

  38. 7. Costs & Finance

  39. Business Costs - Increased in Last 3 Months Costs continue to rise; 9 out of 10 businesses (91%) have experienced an increase in costs over the past three months – up from 80% in Autumn 2010. About two thirds of all businesses reported an increase in transport costs and energy costs over the last three months. The cost of raw materials/ bought-in services has also risen. Compared to Autumn 2010 results there has been an increase in all costs during the last 3 months. 59% say this increase is due to staff payrises; 31% have taken on more staff. Q9. I’d now like to ask you about costs to your business/ organisation. Which , if any, of the following costs have increased over the past 3 months? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents = 644

  40. Business Costs – Most Significant Cost Increase in Last 3 Months Transport costs have seen the most significant cost increase for businesses in the last 3 months. Raw materials/ bought-in services and energy costs also feature. Q10. And which one of these costs, if any, have placed most upward pressure on your overall cost base? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents = 644

  41. Business Costs - Passed on to Customers in Last 3 Months – Comparison with Autumn 2010 and Winter/ Spring 2010 Approaching six out of ten businesses are absorbing the increase in costs rather than passing them on to their customers. The proportion of businesses choosing to absorb the increase in costs has fallen slightly when compared to results in Autumn 2010. Q12. Have you passed on any increases in costs to your customers over the past 3 months? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents who have experienced an increase in costs = 593

  42. Profit Margins - Last 3 Months/ Next 3 Months - Region Over the last 3 months 44% of businesses reported falling profit margins, and slightly fewer (37%) reported stable profit margins. However there is a significant upturn in expected profit margins for the next 3 months. Six out of ten businesses in the Construction sector (60%) reported falling profit margins during the last 3 months – significantly higher than average. About half (54%) expected profit margins to remain the same in the next 3 months. Businesses in the ‘Finance & Business Services’ sector were more likely to report an upturn in profit margins during the previous 3 months (25% higher), and they are more likely to expect this trend to continue in the next 3 months (37% higher). Q4G. Profit margins. What has been the trend during the past 3 months? Q5G. Profit margins. What is the expected trend during the next 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  43. Cash Flow in Last 3 Months/ Next 3 Months - Region Whilst about four out of ten businesses have experienced lower cash flow levels in the last 3 months, about one in four anticipate higher levels of cash in the business in the next 3 months. Cash flow levels are lower for small businesses (1-9 employees) – about half (46%) report falling cash flow in the last 3 months. Over half of businesses in the Construction sector (56%) reported lower cash flow in the last 3 months – significantly higher than average. However it is businesses in the ‘Public Sector/ Other Services’ who are more likely to expect a reduction in cash flow in the coming 3 months(38% lower). Q4H. Cash in the business – cash flow. What has been the trend during the past 3 months? Q5H. Cash in the business – cash flow. What is the expected trend during the next 3 months? Base: All Respondents = 644

  44. Business Finance – Considered/ Sought in Last 3 Months There has been a slight increase in the proportion of businesses considering new finance or lines of credit (up to 14% from 11% in Autumn 2010). Almost one in ten (9%) actually sought finance – an increase from 6% in Autumn 2010. 42% of those seeking finance obtained it (no change from 39% in Autumn 2010). There were no significant differences by sector Businesses with 1-9 employees were significantly less likely to have obtained finance (3%, compared to 7% of those with 10-49 employees and 6% of those with 50+ employees). Q13. Have you considered any new finance or new lines of credit for your business in the past 3 months? (Base: All Respondents = 644). Q14. Have you actually sought new finance? (Base: All Considered = 105). Q16. Did you successfully obtain the finance? (Base: All Sought = 66).

  45. Business Finance – Reason Why Not Considered in Last 3 Months The majority of businesses (74%) who have not considered new lines of finance in the last 3 months claim not to need any additional finance. However one in four have not considered because they feel that finance is too expensive or they would not be successful in obtaining it. Businesses in the Manufacturing sector were significantly more likely to say they have not considered finance because they believe it to be too expensive (25%). This trend has continued since Autumn 2010. Q13B. Which of these best describes why your business has not considered any new finance or new lines of credit in the last 3 months? (Prompted) Base: All Respondents who have not considered finance = 512

  46. Business Finance – Perceptions of Access to/ Cost of Finance in Last 3 Months The majority of businesses who have considered new lines of finance believe that access to finance has got worse, and that the cost of finance has increased during the last 3 months (NB. Small sample size of 105). Q18. Overall do you think that during the last 3 months access to finance for businesses like yours has generally improved, remained the same or got worse? Q19. And overall do you think that during the past 3 months the cost of finance has increased , stayed the same or decreased? Base: All Respondents who have considered finance = 105

  47. Business Finance – Type of Finance Sought in Last 3 Months Bank loans were by far the most common source of finance sought by businesses. Businesses who were unsuccessful mainly cited banks’ unwillingness to lend or the cost as the reasons. “The banks are a total waste of time at the moment. As it is typical of banks that when things are good, they throw money at you when you don't need it. Then when times are hard they withdraw it, and make it difficult for medium sized businesses to function.” “We wanted to consolidate our bank loan and the overdraft. We were declined because we are a small business and made a trading loss last year. They told us to carry on as we are.” “The banks were charging an arm and a leg, 20% on loans.” Q15. Were you seeking a bank loan, an overdraft or another form of finance or credit? Base: All Respondents who have sought finance = 66

  48. 8. Suppliers & Customer Base

  49. Suppliers – where purchases are made from Overall the majority of purchases are from businesses also based in their local area or in the region. Fewer than 10% of purchases are from outside the UK. Businesses in the ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Retail’ sectors were more likely to source supplies from abroad. Businesses in the ‘Construction’ sector were more likely to purchase supplies locally. Q20A-E. Thinking now about your business/ organisation’s purchases (for example raw materials and bought-in services), please estimate the proportion of your purchases that are made locally/ elsewhere in the South East/ Rest of UK/ Within the EU (excluding the UK)/ Outside the EU. Base: All Respondents=644

  50. Customers – where customers are from Overall the majority of businesses’ custom is from their local area or in the region. Fewer than 10% of custom is from outside the UK. Businesses in the ‘Hotels & Restaurants’ sector were most reliant on local custom (68% of custom is from the local area). Q21A-E. Thinking now about your business/ organisation’s sales/ customers/ service users, please estimate the proportion of your sales that are made locally/ elsewhere in the South East/ Rest of UK/ Within the EU (excluding the UK)/ Outside the EU. Base: All Respondents=644

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