9 November 2022
Print output and orders held firm in Q3
Expectations for q4 have deteriorated as confidence falters
Stronger than expected growth in orders and output helped the UK printing and printed packaging industry's continued recovery in Q3 - but the forecast for Q4 is downbeat as confidence expectations continue to slide. Frequent input cost increases, shocks over the cost of new energy supply contracts and heightened uncertainty due to political and economic turmoil in the UK has damaged confidence ahead of a normally bullishly anticipated Q4 period.
The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 43% of printers managed to increase their output levels in the third quarter of 2022, a further 41% were able to hold output steady. However, the remaining 16% did experience a decline in their output levels. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was +27, below the +37 in Q2, but above the Q3 forecast (+19). A sixth consecutive quarter of positive output growth is very welcome but is of course attributed to the sharp Covid-enforced decline in 2020, and the continued recovery from that.
DownloadsPay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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