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Two-thirds of UK businesses with internet web-pages are exporters, according
to the second McCannics e-survey, which has been established to track this
dynamic sector of the UK economy. On average, those which export sell over
one-quarter (27.7 per cent) of their goods and services outside the UK. Small firms which couldn't otherwise afford the resources to promote themselves internationally are finding that the internet gives them new opportunities. Comments from firms which use the internet to export included, "Internet is the easiest way to get a global presence" and "It has opened up a market which was not accessible before". |
Proportion of firms selling some of their sales turnover outside the
UK
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"Was your sales turnover
in the month just ended higher, about the
same, or lower than in the same month last year?"
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63 per cent of internet-using firms said that their turnover was higher in
August 1997 than August 1996, while 19 per cent said that it was lower,
giving a balance of +44 per cent. This was just a little lower
than the July to July figure of +47 per cent (see left).
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The strength of the pound, however, means that those firms which rely on
exports have had a much harder time increasing sales than those which sell
only in the UK. The balance for exporters was
only +38 per cent, compared with +54 per cent for non-exporters (see right).
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"Was your sales turnover
in August 1997 higher, about the
same, or lower than in August 1996?"
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"Were your average selling prices in the month just ended higher, about the same, or lower than in the same month last year?" 
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Three out of ten respondents reported that their average selling prices in August 1997 were higher than in August 1996. Only 7 per cent said that they were lower. This gives a balance of +24 per cent, almost identical to the position in July (see left). 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. |
Questionnaires are sent out and returned by e-mail each month. Participation in this survey is open to all UK-based businesses. If you own or manage a business in the UK and would like to take part in the survey then send a blank e-mail to: volunteer@mccannics.demon.co.uk.
Details of the sample were included in the first survey.
E-mail us with comments, queries or suggestions for future topical questions at: e-survey@mccannics.co.uk.
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