UNDER EMBARGO: FOR RELEASE TO PUBLIC ON THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER 2009
Christmas Cheer for WA businesses
WA small businesses are expecting bumper Christmas trading, according to the Sensis®
Business Index released today.
The quarterly survey began in 1993 and provides the latest snapshot of small and medium
enterprise (up to 199 employees) business activity in Australia. It is based on a sample size
of 1,800 from metropolitan and regional areas, interviewed between 30 October and 20
November 2009.
Report author Ms Christena Singh said WA small businesses were expecting the Christmas
trading period to bring favourable conditions.
“WA small businesses have experienced challenging trading conditions over the last 12
months.
“The environment has improved considerably over the last quarter, and businesses are very
optimistic about trading conditions for the Christmas period.
“In fact, WA businesses are expecting the best quarter they’ve seen in over two years,” Ms
Singh said.
The Sensis® Business Index shows WA small businesses experienced strong
improvements in profitability and employment during the quarter, which has translated to a
boost in business confidence.
Having good profitability and plenty of work coming up are the main reasons WA small
businesses are confident.
Approval of the WA Government fell during the quarter, but the government remains the
most supported state and territory government along with the Northern Territory.
Perceptions that the WA Government is being supportive of small business, offering small
business management training schemes and trying to help small business are key reasons
for approval.
December 2009 Sensis® Business Index WA Key Indicators:
The business confidence indicator rose four percentage points to 56 per cent
Over the quarter, 15 per cent of businesses decreased their workforce size, while 21
per cent increased staff numbers, with the remaining making no changes
The profitability indicator rose substantially from negative three per cent to positive
five per cent
Demand for goods and services remained stable, with the sales indicator at eight per
cent
Capital expenditure fell, with the indicator down from positive four per cent to
negative seven per cent.
-ENDS-
For interviews with the report author or for further information contact:
De-Arne Carr on 03 9397 5677 or 0419 585 711
For further commentary from report author Christena Singh, visit
Sensis® Business Index is available now by contacting the above or can be downloaded
NEWS 
