Business Climate Survey Finds 44 Percent of Printers Report Significant or Moderate 2014 Sales Gains
MELBOURNE, FL—September 17, 2014—The recent National Print Owners Association (NPOA) Business Climate Survey found nearly half of the 250 firms responding reported significant (12.2 percent) or moderate (31.3 percent) sales increases. Another 28.3 percent reported relatively flat sales while 20.7 percent experienced modest sales declines and 7.7 percent reported sales down significantly.
"It does appear that the overall business climate for many printers seems brighter than it has in the recent past," said survey author and NPOA Executive Director John Stewart.
Annual sales for participants ranged from $215,000 to $7 million with an average of $1,292,849. Overall, the entire database projected a modest average increase in sales of 2.4 percent. Average estimated growth projections tended to be higher for firms with greater annual sales.
When the respondents were divided into three segments, the bottom third projected an average sales decline of 10.7 percent. The middle third predicted a 3.0 percent sales increase while the top third projected an average 15.8 percent increase in sales.
"Put into context, while approximately one-third of our industry appears to be quite healthy in terms of sales and profits, another third continues to struggle," noted Stewart.
About NPOA
NPOA is dedicated to delivering products and services that enhance the growth and profitability of its small commercial print members including advocacy, educational programs, publications, research, and the sharing of technical information. Since its founding in mid-December 2012, it has reached the 400-member mark with a goal of 450 by the end of 2014. The Second Annual NPOA Spring Owners Conference was held February 27 to March 2, 2014 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and attracted 150 members, vendors, and guests—an increase of 15 percent over 2013. The 2015 National Owners Conference will be held in Orlando, FL from Thursday April 16 through Saturday April 18, at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel overlooking Downtown Disney.
Source: NPOA.