Reports

24% of survey respondents in Austria were concerned about maintaining sufficient cash flow levels. They consider this as one of the greatest challenges to business profitability in 2015.

28% of the respondents in Ireland, compared to 18% in Western Europe, reported that maintaining adequate cash flow is one of the biggest challenges they will be facing in 2015.

Nearly 73% of survey respondents in Italy reported that late payment from domestic B2B customers is mainly attributable to insufficient availability of funds.

We forecast the oil price will start rising in the fourth quarter of 2015 to USD 75 on average in 2016. Discover the impact on sectors and countries across the globe.

Construction sector‘s financing climate is improving.

In 2015, Sweden expects a modest growth in the consumer durables retail segment.

The Chinese retail market remains highly fragmented due to the large population and differences in consumer behaviour and purchasing power across the country.

Retail insolvencies are expected to increase in Canada in 2015, as many businesses ́ profit margins are under pressure and competition is high.

The US economy is expected to grow 3.1 % in 2015, while unemployment is expected to drop to 5.5 %. Together with improving consumer sentiment, those indicators support higher top-line sales growth.

In the UK, consumer confidence and discretionary income have shown significant improvement over the past 12 months. The overall trend in consumer durables retail performance has been an improving one.

The forecast for Spain ́s economy seems to sustain further consumer durables sales in 2015. However, for some segments growth could be lower, given high purchase levels already seen in 2014.

Despite the still fragile situation, in 2014 Dutch retail trade has benefited from higher consumer confidence, economic growth and improved purchasing power.

German consumer durables retail benefits from the country ́s robust economic performance, with household consumption expected to grow 2 % in 2015 after 1.2 % registered in 2014.

Peru’s economic growth is expected to accelerate in 2015 spurred by lower interest rates, two mega mining projects, strong demand and public investment in infrastructure projects.

In 2015, Colombia’s economic performance is expected to slow down somewhat (to 3.8%) due to lower commodity prices, while robust domestic demand should sustain growth.

In 2015, Chile is forecast to see a decrease in inflation and an increase in economic growth.

Argentina’s economy contracted 1.6% in 2014, and this negative trend is expected to continue in 2015, as exchange and price controls are forcing producers to scale back their activities.

Depreciation of the Euro against the British Pound has made UK products and services less attractive to eurozone buyers.

Italian GDP is expected to grow after three years of contraction. Domestic demand is forecast to stabilise as investments and household consumption are expected to accelerate.

Problems remain in the building sectors of most of the countries covered in this issue of the Market Monitor. Consequently, the outlook for the construction industry in 2015 remains muted.