Online SMEs optimistic for 2016, says eBay
A new study of online business sentiment by eBay has revealed that UK small businesses are feeling optimistic about 2016. According to eBay, 49% of small online businesses in the study, conducted in partnership in YouGov, were bullish about their prospects for the New Year, while only 22% were pessimistic about the UK economy and their own trading forecasts. Over 200,000 small businesses sell online through eBay in the UK.
Despite the well-documented headwinds facing UK businesses, added eBay, online business optimism is borne out in a number of key areas:
- Employment: 13% of small online businesses are expecting to employ more staff over the next 12 months, which could mean thousands of new jobs in the UK.
- Exports: 13% of small online businesses believe that they will expand the number of global markets they reach over the next 12 months, adding to a large number already exporting through the eBay-run Global Shipping Programme.
- Expansion of product offering: 40% of online small businesses are confident enough to expand their product offering in 2016.
Commenting on the results, Kit Glover, Director of Professional Selling, eBay UK said: “The business community should be very encouraged by the findings of our Small Business Optimism Index. Despite a tough retail environment, the fact that digital small businesses are looking to expand their product offerings, export to more foreign markets and thus employ more people here in the UK can only be a good thing.”
Although we are only a few working days into 2016, this is second study to come out this year which suggests that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are feeling upbeat about their online sales. As Post&Parcel reported on New Year’s Day, Royal Mail’s annual tracker study into the expectations and ambitions of UK SME e-retailers revealed that eight out of ten were confident they will increase sales in 2016.
