UNDER EMBARGO: FOR RELEASE TO PUBLIC ON THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER 2009
Ho, Ho, Ho, it’s profit time
Christmas trading is expected to bring much cheer for Tasmania’s small businesses,
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 Tasmania’s small businesses were expecting
bumper conditions for the summer trading period.
“Tasmanian small businesses have the most bullish expectations for sales, profitability and
capital expenditure of any state or territory.
“In fact, they are expecting profitability levels not seen in Tasmania since February 2008,”
she said.
The Sensis® Business Index shows Tasmanian small businesses experienced strong
improvements in sales, profitability, wages and prices during the last quarter.
In line with stronger conditions, business confidence rallied during the quarter to be the
nation’s second highest.
However, after the summer quarter, Tasmanian small businesses are forecasting more
subdued conditions, with the nation’s lowest expectations for sales, employment, wages and
profitability over the next 12 months.
Small business support for the Tasmanian Government fell strongly during the quarter. The
main reasons businesses do not support the government centre around taxes and increases
in utility prices.
December 2009 Sensis® Business Index Tasmanian Key Indicators:
The business confidence indicator increased six percentage points to 66 per cent
Over the quarter, 11 per cent of businesses decreased their workforce size, while
seven per cent increased staff numbers, with the remaining making no changes
The profitability indicator rose from negative nine per cent to negative two per cent
Demand for goods and services improved strongly, with the sales indicator up from
negative 12 per cent to positive five per cent
Capital expenditure fell, with the indicator down from positive four per cent to
negative 12 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
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