A growing confidence amongst retailers is suggested by positive new figures from shopfittings and display companies.
A half-yearly survey from the Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) reveals tangible evidence of an upwards climb within the retail display industry.

It found that 57% of respondents benefited from an increase in sales during the second half of 2013 over the first half of the year, while a further 24% registered similar results.

And the figures were equally encouraging when compared with the second half of 2012, with 43% of respondents reporting increased sales year on year and a further 33% no change. The average increase reported was 18.6%.

The future too looks promising. Over half respondents expect sales to increase during the next six months and the figure rises to 76% for the 12-month forecast.

Other indicators, such as employment, also suggest high levels of confidence: 19% of respondents had taken on additional employees in the last six months and 52% said they expected to take on more staff over the next six months.

"There has been a real turnaround, with genuine growth of 26% compared with our last six-monthly survey and 18% growth year on year," said SDEA director Lawrence Cutler. "Overall, these figures reveal a degree of
business confidence not witnessed in the UK shopfittings and display industry for several years."