Southland Business Chamber - Business Confidence Survey - February 2024
Thank you for taking the time to complete this business confidence survey, for the quarter ending 29 February 2024.
OK
1.
Where is your business based?
Invercargill
Eastern Southland
Fiordland (including Manapouri, Te Anau and Milford Sound) businesses,
Western Southland
Other (please specify)
2.
Do you consider that the general business situation in New Zealand will improve, remain the same, or deteriorate during the next six months?
Improve
Same
Deteriorate
Unsure
3.
Do you anticipate that the general situation in your business will improve, remain the same or deteriorate during the next six months?
Improve
Same
Deteriorate
Unsure
4.
In general, do you find that getting the skilled/specialist staff you want today is easier, the same, or harder than it was three months ago?
Easier
Same
Harder
N/A
5.
In general, do you find that getting the unskilled staff you want today is easier, the same, or harder than it was three months ago?
Easier
Same
Harder
N/A
6.
What single factor is most limiting your ability to expand your activities?
Capacity
Demand
Finance
Labour
Supplies
Other (please specify)
7.
Do you expect interest rates charged on loans to move up/same/down over the next twelve months?
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
8.
Do you expect investment by your firm to be up/same/down over the next twelve months?
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
9.
Excluding normal seasonal changes, what has been your firm's experience during the past three months?
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Number of full-time employees
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Number of part-time employees
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Total hours worked
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Labour turnover
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Average costs
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Average selling prices
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Profitability
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Sales in New Zealand
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Export sales
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
10.
Excluding normal seasonal changes, what do you expect in the next three months?
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Number of full-time employees
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Number of part-time employees
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Total hours worked
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Labour turnover
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Average costs
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Average selling prices
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Profitability
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Sales in New Zealand
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
Export sales
Up
Same
Down
Unsure
11.
What average level of wage increases (%) have you given your staff over the past twelve months?
0%
1-2%
3-5%
6-7%
8-9%
10% +
N/A
12.
What average level of wage increases (%) are you expecting to offer to your staff over the next twelve months?
0%
1-2%
3-5%
6-7%
8-9%
10% +
N/A
13.
Which of the following has had the largest effect on your profitability over the last six months?
Supply chain
Exchange rates
Fuel costs
Interest rates
Energy costs
Inflation
Staff costs
Other (please specify)
14.
Which of the following rates as your highest area of concern over the next six months?
Supply chain
Fuel costs
Exchange rates
Interest rates
Inflation
Energy costs
Staff costs
Other (please specify)
15.
What are the top 3 areas your business could use support in?
Restructuring advice
Financial assistance
Marketing and design
Cost reduction
Staffing or HR
Creative or commercial consulting / advice
New product development
Other (please specify)