PRESS RELEASE – THE January to June 2017 Chamber Business Performance Survey reveals that more respondents feel “more optimistic” about future economic prospects this year than in last year’s survey. This is just one of the findings of the Chamber’s semi-annual membership business performance survey conducted among Chamber members.
Sales performance for the review period (January to June 2017) was compared to sales performance for the immediately preceding period (July to December 2016) and 60.9% of respondents reported that sales were higher when compared to the same period of 2016 (January to June), 65.2% of respondents reported that sales were higher in 2017.
Meanwhile, 39% of respondents reported that they increased employment while 22% reported they had decreased employment during January to June 2017. However, 50% of respondents indicated that they do not expect to increase employment during the second half of 2017, with 45.5% of them indicating they intend to increase employment, and the balance indicating they plan no changes in employment levels.
Sector growth prospects was seen as excellent by only 4% of respondents while 70% of respondents saw growth prospects as fair. In terms of growth prospects for the economy, an equal 4% see them as excellent with 73% of respondents seeing economic growth prospects as fair.
The full report is available from the Chamber Secretariat and on the Chamber’s website at www.stluciachamber.org