Retailers pessimistic on Christmas trade

christmas, shopping, trolley, gift, decorationRetailers aren’t expecting a very merry Christmas.

That’s the message from new survey data based on 1,200 responses from industry executives, which has found that optimism about the upcoming December quarter is down 42 per cent on last year and 67 per cent on two-years ago.

The data, compiled by Dun & Bradstreet’s September Business Expectations Survey, also found that the retail sector is the least upbeat industry in the country, with 55.4 per cent of firms surveyed saying they are more optimistic about business growth in the year ahead and 35.7 per cent saying they were less optimistic.

That’s compared to wholesalers, 69.8 per cent of whom are more optimistic, while only 20.8 per cent are less optimistic.

“We see a number of trends affecting the low retail expectations that are coming through in our Business Expectations Survey, including low consumer confidence, political uncertainty and the impact of market disruption and international competition,” Dun & Bradstreet CEO Simon Bligh said.

“As pay packets get consumed by large mortgages and high rental payments, there’s less to be spent on the silly season and less reasons for retailers to smile.”

Retailers surveyed also indicated they were less likely to bring on more people over the Christmas period then they have in previous years.

“The recent official data on employment has been particularly strong which is consistent with the previous employment expectations and actual results. The level of employment expectations remains positive into the December quarter although there has been a small decline in the expectations index in recent months. That said, employment growth is likely to remain positive through to the end of the year,” Stephen Koukoulas, Dun & Bradstreet economic adviser, said.

Meanwhile activity in the Australian services sector is still expanding but at a slower pace, with business conditions variable across sectors and states.

The retail and hospitality trades are finding conditions particularly tough as higher household electricity costs and slow wages growth curb consumer spending.

Retailers are also feeling the pinch of growing competition from online operators and offshore sellers.

The Australian Industry Group on Wednesday said all businesses are being affected by rising energy costs, which is putting pressure on margins and proving difficult to pass on to customers already reluctant to spend.

The Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Services Index (PSI) fell 0.9 points to 52.1.0 points in September, but stayed above the 50-point level signifying expansion.

The overall services sector has now expanded for seven months in a row.

However, Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said, while the big services sub-sectors are doing reasonably well, growth is not broad-based.

“Some big variations in conditions are still apparent across sectors and across states,” Willox said in a statement.

He said business-oriented sub-sectors such as property and business services, finance and insurance, and communications are reporting positive demand generated by the construction and mining sectors, mostly in the eastern states.

But retail and hospitality services are experiencing reduced spending by consumers due to higher household electricity costs, flat wages growth, and poor consumer confidence.

Businesses in Western Australia are finding it tougher than those in the eastern states.

Six of the nine services sub-sectors in the Ai Group’s index expanded in September.

Personal and recreational services; finance and insurance; communications; and health, education and community services grew at a faster rate.

Wholesale trade grew at the same rate, and growth in property and business services slowed.

Activity in the retail sector shrank at a faster pace, the hospitality industry contracted to a record low, and transport and storage slipped back into contraction.

Overall, growth in sales, employment, new orders and stocks was slower.

Selling prices continue to fall, reflecting the strong Australian dollar that makes imported goods and services cheaper; tough competition; weak consumer demand; and weak inflation.

Access exclusive analysis, locked news and reports with Inside Retail Weekly. Subscribe today and get our premium print publication delivered to your door every week.

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.