Continued business confidence and more of the same for many Auckland businesses

Thursday, 15^th August, 2013

An Auckland Chamber of Commerce Survey undertaken this week by just under 800 businesses shows that confidence is still steady, with an increasing number of businesses predicting that things will stay the same compared to last quarter.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett reports that results do not suggest any dramatic change in confidence this quarter.

“ The results this quarter are what I would expect and reflect results of other New Zealand business monitors – which suggest confidence is still up and rising, albeit slower than earlier in the year. Respondents are still concerned about the value of the New Zealand dollar, their ability to recruit staff – and to pay their wages,” he said.

Latest survey results indicate that net of 46% of business owners believe that the general business situation in New Zealand will improve over the next six months down 4% from last quarter but up 20% from August last year.

Similarly net of 54% of business owners believe their own business situation will improve, down slightly from last quarter at net 56% but still up from a year ago at 39%. The number of respondents believing both New Zealand’s situation and their own business situation will stay the same increased 4% on last quarter - a similar result to the first quarter this year.

“Despite the continued business and consumer confidence, businesses are still waiting for the confidence to be translated into bottom line profit.”

For more results of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce August 2013 Business Confidence Survey, please click here.

For more information contact Michael Barnett, mobile: 0275 631 150.
Michael Barnett, Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce.