13 March 2014

BOSS Outlook - The latest state of trade report is available now!

Sales surpassed forecasts in Q4 and confidence remained positive - Expectations are for steady improvements in Q1.

Sales rebounded strongly in Q4 and are forecasted for some further improvement in Q1, according to the results of the latest BOSS Outlook survey. The state of trade continues to be reported as generally positive, compared to a largely negative position in 2012.

BOSS Outlook is BOSS Federation's quarterly office supplies & services industry trends survey. As well as reporting on the industry's latest quarterly survey of trends, with forecasts and data analysis on sales, output, business confidence, capacity, employment, prices, costs, stock, margins, profits, productivity, investment, financing and credit conditions, pay reviews, public sector and EOS - BOSS Outlook also incorporates:

• UK headline economic data
• CBI forecasts and assessment
• Paper sector commentary and a price index from PPL Research Ltd
• Advertising sector data and analysis from the Advertising Association/Warc Expenditure Report and the IPA Bellwether Report

BOSS Outlook is free to BOSS members and available from the BOSS website: www.bossfederation.com/outlook

You'll need to log in and register to access - please contact us on 01924 203338 if you need assistance with your login.

Congratulations to the winners of this quarter's prize draw - sponsored by BOSS Federation:

• Mark Daisley of ExaClair in King's Lynn
• Duncan Jones of OfficeIS in Colchester

Six bottles of wine are already with, or working their way to, both Mark and Duncan - thank you for participating.

BOSS Outlook it is an extremely important project and publication for us - not just for the current trend information that we report back to you; but also to help us represent you throughout the industry and in our communications and activities with other trade associations, the CBI, and Government.

The next survey will go live in April 2014. You'll receive an email asking you to respond to the online survey, please get involved - help us help you!

Michael Gardner
Chief Executive - BOSS Federation

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE PART IN OUR UK SUPPLIER EVENT SURVEY!

This is your chance to shape the future of the OP industry. We want your opinions and recommendations on whether the industry should hold a single UK supplier event, managed by BOSS.

Manufacturers - access your survey HERE

Resellers - access your survey HERE

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Top industry leaders, including Aidan Doyle, Managing Director of Staples Advantage UK & Ireland, and Phil Jones, Managing Director of Brother, will be on hand to inspire and inform the future leaders of the OP industry.

We'll be looking to the Millennial Generation to forecast the future of the OP industry to get their opinion on what lies ahead. Make sure you register your young managers to reserve their places at this fantastic event.

For more information and to download a registration form click here

BOSS Members' Day will return to Stationers' Hall, London on Wednesday 4 June.

Invitations to the CEO's Conference and Chairman's Lunch will be sent out shortly.

The CEO's Conference will take place in the morning with guest speaker Steve Turner, an ex Olympic rower who now runs a learning and development company who run team building workshops based on Patrick Lencioni's 'Five Dysfunctions of a Team'.

The Annual General Meeting will take place in the afternoon, followed by refreshments and networking.

Booking for the event is now available here

This year the prestigious BOSS Industry Awards will return to the ICC in Birmingham for another evening of celebration and entertainment. Put the date in your diary to ensure you don't miss out on this amazing event!