Seventy-four percent of companies that sell to major US retailers believe 2012 holiday season will be same or stronger than last year; 42% said sales during fall retail season were better than last year's, 27% said they were the same: CBC
Cindy Allen
NEW YORK
,
November 19, 2012
(press release)
–
Importers and manufacturers who sell to America's major retailers continue to be optimistic regarding a strong fourth quarter and holiday shopping season, according to Capital Business Credit (CBC), a non-bank lender that services the retail sector.
According to the quarterly Global Retail Manufacturers and Importers Survey, 74 percent of importers of retail goods believe the winter/holiday season will be the same or stronger than last year. Of those who believe it will be stronger, the majority estimate that sales will increase by more than three percent compared to last year. Respondents indicated that Black Friday will continue to be the busiest shopping day of the season with Cyber Monday and the day after Christmas tied at a distant second.
"Importers continue to be optimistic about the most important quarter in the retail calendar," said Andrew Tananbaum, executive chairman at CBC. "It appears that retailers are purchasing and selling more merchandise than in 2011 which is not only encouraging for the sector but for the overall economy."
Super Storm Sandy
When asked if Super Storm Sandy will impact holiday retail sales in general, 50 percent indicated that it would have no impact and a third indicated it would have a negative effect. However, for November specifically, Super Storm Sandy will have a negative impact on 45 percent of importers' businesses.
Other Super Storm Sandy data includes:
"It appears that Sandy was not as catastrophic to importers' businesses as it has been to other industries," Tananbaum said. "As importers and retailers no longer overstock merchandise, the storm's impact was less devastating than it could have been. However, we do suspect that some companies may have lost merchandise that was in their warehouse."
Tananbaum continued, "While respondents did indicate that it has been more difficult to ship goods, they have not reported major problems or bottlenecks at the ports where their merchandise arrives. We consider this very lucky."
Fall (August through October, 2012)
The Fall 2012 retail season was a successful one for importers of retail goods with 42 percent indicating sales were better than last year and a quarter (27 percent) indicating it would be the same as the prior year.
Additional Survey Findings with Respect to Fall:
About Capital Business Credit
Established in 1988, Capital Business Credit, LLC (www.CapitalBusinessCredit.com) is a commercial finance company specializing in providing creative supply chain financing solutions. The Company's service offerings include: full-service factoring; immediate cash for receivables; single debtor credit coverage; letters of credit; accounts receivable management services; inventory lending; and international financing. CBC Trade Finance, a division of CBC, provides trade finance solutions for U.S.-based importers working with Asia-based suppliers (exporters). Capital Business Credit is based in New York, with offices in Hong Kong; Shanghai; Los Angeles; Charlotte; NC; and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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