29 August 2013

BOSS E-News 29.08.13

Welcome to our weekly E-news update - after the successful launch of BOSS Outlook in June we are pleased to announce that the August edition is now available for members to download.

I would like to thank you for your contribution to the BOSS Outlook for August, the quarterly Office Supplies &Services Industry Trends survey. This survey highlights your views on trends in our industry and gives you meaningful management information for developing your strategy in our ever changing industry.

This forecast shows some major positives about order levels and productivity but also some major concerns about profit, bad debts and rising costs. So read on for the highlights.

Please find the link to the survey at http://www.bossfederation.com/page.asp?node=48036&action=view_document&tid=8555&sec=Report_Download&page=1 to read the full story.

Highlights are:

• Order levels are better than previously forecast last quarter
• Business confidence stabilised in 2013 compared to a negative 2012
• More members (21% of respondents) are reporting working at full capacity
• 47% respondents show an increase in employment levels
• Average product prices have reduced suggesting competitive pressure still an issue
• Staff costs have continued to increase but distribution and energy costs forecast to fall
• Declining stock levels and increased stock turn reported
• Gross margins and profits down compared to last quarter
• Productivity improving and investment intentions increasing
• Increased late payments by customers and bad debts also increasing
• Pay reviews show basic pay up 2.6%
• Public sector work declining as share of sales
• EOS decline in sales volumes but increase in EOS purchase price increases
• UK paper market contracting but prices stable

When you receive an email from Kyle Jardine ([email protected]) please take the time to complete the questionnaire. This is now a fantastic barometer of the state of trade in our industry.

The next survey is due to be published in October.

Please keep sending me your BOSS news updates to [email protected]

Your comments are appreciated.

Michael Gardner
Chief Executive - BOSS Federation

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