2016 records third year of growth

The 2016 Business Index results are out and the sector as a whole recorded a 10% increase year-on-year but it was not without its peaks and troughs – a slow down in growth in the traditionally buoyant months of autumn and a dramatic decline in July undoubtedly caused by the Irish summer being effectively over by the end of June.

Total member revenue for Quarter 4 2016 shows a 9% increase on the same period for 2015. The sector Quarter 4 year-on-year rise is broadly even across both regional and urban/rural areas. Month-on-month rises in sector revenue in October and November 2016 were then followed by a fall in December probably because we are experiencing such a mild winter.

The monthly moving average for Quarter 4 is largely consistent across the range of different member groupings. The month-on-month increase in sector revenue was especially consistent in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2016.

The annual review of 2016 indicates that both Q1 and Q2 2016 showed 13% growth on 2015; the year-on-year growth for Q3 and Q4 2016 was 5% and 9% respectively.

A total of 156 member branches throughout the country take part in the monthly business index . For more information about participating contact Jim on 01 298 0969 or email.