Businesses positive on 2013 growth prospects, say surveys
BUSINESSES are planning to invest in 2013 and expect sales to increase, according to two surveys.
The Co-operative Bank polled around 500 managers working and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and found 44% believed sales and orders will rise.
Some 26% of respondents said they anticipate growth in international orders. Around quarter plan to invest in new equipment or premises and just over a fifth said they would take people on.
Meanwhile, research carried out by Government-backed coaching service GrowthAccelerator, among the same number of executives, found similar attitudes.
Around 60% of those based in the North West said they expected to grow by up to 20% in 2013, and half of all respondents based in the region plan to invest.
However, the Co-op’s study also found that 19% of businesses felt sales and orders would fall in 2013 and more than a third said they had suffered a decline in 2012.
Keith Alderson, managing director of Corporate and Business Banking at The Co-operative Bank, said: “As the curtain closes on another tough year it seems many SMEs are now looking forward with a cautious sense of optimism about the challenges for their businesses next year.
“We see this entrepreneurial spirit day-in, day-out in our dealings with customers and I’m not surprised that SMEs are adapting and exploring new markets to overcome the economic challenges.”
Simon Littlewood, head of business growth services at GrowthAccelerator said: “The impact of the recession has hit hard for many companies and we know from the businesses we work with every day that there is nonetheless huge ambition and drive among the UK’s business owners. The GrowthAccelerator service is all about providing the tools, access to individuals who can help and support that businesses need to achieve this potential for growth.”
