The McCannics e-survey, July 1997

Sales and Prices

The internet-using firms taking part in this survey are more dynamic than firms taking part in other business surveys.

Almost 60 per cent said that their sales turnover was higher in July 1997 than it had been in July 1996. Only 13 per cent said that their turnover was lower (see right).

This gives a balance (the proportion saying higher minus the proportion saying lower) of +47 per cent.

"Was your sales turnover in July 1997 higher, about the same, or lower than in July 1996?"

SALES:Number%
Higher21759.9%
Same7921.8%
Lower4713.0%
No response195.2%
Sample362
Balance +47.0%

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Balance of firms with increased turnover, this survey compared with other surveys

Chart showing this survey compared with other surveys

Sources: SBRT: SBRT/NatWest Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain, Tel: 01908 655831
CBI: CBI/Pannell Kerr Forster SME Trends Report, Tel: 0171 831 7393

The balance of firms in this survey increasing turnover is much higher than for similar questions in other surveys, as the chart on the left shows. A balance of only +15 per cent of firms in The SBRT/NatWest Quarterly Survey of Small Firms in Britain said that their turnover in the first quarter of 1997 was up compared with the first quarter of 1996 and in the July 1997 CBI/Pannell Kerr Forster Survey the balance of firms saying that output was up over the past four months was only +2 per cent.

Almost one in three respondents reported that their average selling prices in July 1997 were higher than in July 1996. Only one in ten said that they were lower (see right).

The non-responses to these questions include a number of firms which only began trading after July 1996.

The real value of these questions will be seen when the survey has been established for a few months. Changes in the balances over time will give a good indication of how sales and prices in the economy are changing, well before official statistics are available.

"Were your average selling prices in July 1997 higher, about the same, or lower than in July 1996?"

PRICES:Number%
Higher12033.1%
Same18751.7%
Lower369.9%
No response195.2%
Sample362
Balance +23.2%

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