The half-yearly survey from the Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) reveals that there is tangible evidence of a positive upwards climb within the retail display industry.
The survey found that 57% of respondents benefited from an increase in sales during the second half of 2013 compared with the first half of the year. Over 50% expect sales to increase during the next six months and the figure rises to 76% for the 12 month forecast.
Other indicators, such as employment, also suggest high levels of confidence – 19% of respondents had taken on additional employees during the last six months and 52% said they expected to take on more staff over the next six months.
“There has been a real turnaround with genuine growth year on year”, said SDEA director Lawrence Cutler. “Overall, these figures reveal a degree of business confidence not witnessed in the UK shopfittings and display industry for several years”.