Media Release: For Immediate Release

Attitude changes as business confidence lifts

An Auckland Chamber of Commerce confidence survey - the first for 2013 covering responses from over 1100 firms in the region - shows a dramatic lift in confidence reports Chamber CEO Michael Barnett.

"There has been a shift from firms who have simply expected ‘more of the same’ to those who believe the economy will improve over the next 6 months.

Auckland Business Confidence
Aug 12 Nov 12 Feb 13
Improve 30% 29% 47%
Same 56% 53% 43%
Deteriorate 14% 18% 10%

A similar effect has occurred in the response from business owners where 57% of respondents (up from 47%) believe the economy will improve and just 35% believe we will have more of the same (down from 42% in November 2012).

A rising concern from those wishing to expand their business through employment of skills is the message from the survey that over 25% of firms looking to employ skills are having difficulty finding the right people with the right skills,” says Mr Barnett.

The survey also found :

• Employment intentions are up from 14% in November 2012 to 20%

• Hours expected to be worked are up

• Profitability expectations are up

• Demand is up.

For more information on the Auckland Chamber of Commerce February Business Confidence Survey, please visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

ENDS