BOSS/GfK Panelmarket report results & price survey

Overall industry sales in October were broadly flat, with retail in decline and B2B just in growth again after a 3% increase in September. What is interesting is the squeeze on margins that must be occurring in the B2B sector as price increases have not yet been passed on to the consumer.

There's a very different picture in retail however, as prices have been passed on quickly, but potentially with a consumer reaction as with a greater than 10% sales price increase at the piece level, sales volumes fell by 11%. This reflects the overall sluggish demand reported in the back to school period this year continuing into October. Or potentially a change in channel occurring with online suppliers benefiting at the expense of traditional retailers.

In B2B demand was strong in volume terms at the piece level ( 6%) and the anticipated price inflation should start to improve the sales value in the coming months if demand stays constant. Or margins will continue to be squeezed!

To download the full report, click here.

Further industry statistics and presentations are available here.