Exeter Business Survey – Sept 09

QUARTERLY SURVEY SHOWS SALES AND JOBS HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY

The Exeter Chamber of Commerce & Industry member survey (4^th quarter 2009) has provided extremely positive results with both sales and margins showing a significant increase from this period last year.

46% of the 100 plus members from small, medium and large companies surveyed, reported that sales figures have increased - more than double the figure from this time last year.

20% state that profit margins are up compared with only 6% in September 2008. Also importantly 21% confirmed that numbers employed have increased, continuing the rise over the last three quarters.

Derek Philips, Chairman of Exeter Chamber of Commerce & Industry said, ‘This is great news for the city and the local economy. It's amazing to see the increase in sales and margins and must be a sign of recovery. It's particularly pleasing that the numbers employed has increased significantly in the last three quarters.'

Exeter Business Survey - September 2009