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Attitude changes as business confidence lifts

Friday 15 February 2013, 1:29PM

By Auckland Chamber of Commerce

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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