Most businessmen see good prospects in short term

Business was generally better than expected over the Easter period and the majority of businessmen have a rosy outlook of the next three months, according to a survey by the GRTU, Association of General Retailers and Traders.

Seventy-six per cent of the businessmen interviewed for the GRTU's annual Easter survey said business had been better than expected, while 24 per cent said it was worse.

A total of 55 per cent said there were good or very good prospects for the next three months. Thirty per cent could not make up their minds and 10 per cent said business would remain the same. Only five per cent anticipated that it would be worse.

51 per cent of those interviewed reported that sales had risen by between one and 29 per cent compared to the previous Easter period. Thirty-four per cent reported a decline ranging between five and 40 per cent, while 15 per cent reported no change.

The interviewees were from a cross-section of businesses ranging from confectioners and boutiques to jewellers, toy shops and giftware outlets.

A total of 54 per cent of those who said business was better attributed it to a post-election spending spree, 15 per cent to the closure of the EU membership issue, nine per cent to a "late Easter" and another nine per cent to longer school holidays.

Most of those who said business was bad attributed it to a "general uncertainty". The negative impact of the election period, the war in Iraq and the low level of money in circulation were also cited.