The results of the latest quarterly survey of ceda members are in, and the positive trends seen in first three quarters of 2017 continued in Q4. 64 ceda members took part in the survey and overwhelmingly reported sales growth against the previous quarter, quarter-on-quarter, and against year-to-date sales.

How did your sales for the last quarter compare with the previous quarter?

Better than = 53.13%     Same as = 35.94%     Worse than = 10.94%

53.13% of respondents said their sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 were better than those in the third quarter of 2017.  

How did your sales for the last quarter compare with the same quarter in previous year?

Better than = 56.25%     Same as = 31.25%     Worse than = 12.50%

Quarter-on-quarter sales against the same period in 2016 also showed better results with 56.25% of participants reporting a growth.  

How do your year-to-date sales for this current year compare with your year-to-date last year?

Better than = 54.69%     Same as = 25.00%     Worse than = 21.30%

Year-to-date sales are better for 54.69% of those surveyed, compared the year-to-dates sales last year.  

How do you forecast your sales for the next quarter compared with the previous quarter?

Better than = 48.44%     Same as = 35.94%     Worse than = 15.63%

Cautious optimism also appears to be prevalent in forecast sales for Q1 of 2018 with 48.44% of ceda members predicting better sales, compared to Q4 of 2017.  

How did the number of enquiries received from the PRIVATE SECTOR in the last quarter compare with the previous quarter?

Better than = 53.23%     Same as = 40.32%     Worse than = 6.45%

Not only were enquires from the private sector up against the previous quarter for the majority of ceda members, but only 6.45% said they were worse. In the same vein, results also showed Restaurants were overwhelmingly the area of the private sector generating the most enquires from Oct to Dec 2017. Other questions included: ‘Was your average margin this year better or worse than the previous year?’ (50.00% answered ‘Same’); and ‘How did the number of enquiries received from the PUBLIC SECTOR in the last quarter compare with the previous quarter?’ (60.00% ‘Same’).