Reports

Around 40% of respondents in Ireland said they will check their customers’ payment records and increase monitoring of their buyers’ credit risk.

Due to late payment of commercial invoices, notably more respondents in Italy (41%) than in Western Europe (23.7%) delayed payments to their suppliers.

Despite a firm grip on trade receivables management, 1 in 5 respondents in the Netherlands had to delay payments to their own suppliers.

Two in five respondents in Spain expect payment practices of B2B customers in the consumer durables industry to deteriorate over the next 12 months.

One in four Swedish respondents believe that late payment from export customers is due to external factors such as inefficiencies of the banking system.

More respondents in Switzerland (32%) than in Western Europe (26%) will increase the use of cash, or of terms other than credit in B2B trade.

Survey findings point to Great Britain as the country in Western Europe that is the most impacted by late payment from export customers.

Robust domestic demand expected to continue in 2016, but smaller players are struggling.

Consumption growth continues in 2016 but margins remain tight.

More troubles for the electronics and toys segments.

Lower holiday sales likely to result in payment delays and insolvencies in 2016.

Payment delays are expected to increase.

Modest growth expected in 2016, with concentration process on-going in the market.

Introduction of a retail tax could hurt businesses’ margins.

Profit margins are expected to remain stable in 2016, but competition is strong.

The influx of cheaper brands from China has increased competition.

Newly founded businesses, in particular, face higher risks in the highly competitive market.

Demand for consumer durables continues to increase, driven by rising living standards.

Despite major economic reforms growth remains subdued and inflation very high.

The economy continues to deteriorate, with high inflation and sharply increasing government debt.