Biggest business issues for 2009

News Story
- 11 Dec 2008 ( #390 ) - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1 min read
Nearly three quarters of businesses surveyed have been hurt by the dramatic fall in the Aussie dollar.
Nearly three quarters of businesses surveyed have been hurt by the dramatic fall in the Aussie dollar.
Business executives expect further declines in sales and profits into 2009 as credit market conditions, a volatile Australian dollar and inflationary pressures impact on prospects.

The latest Dun & Bradstreet survey reveals some 48% of executives have been negatively impacted by changing credit market conditions and three-quarters (73%) have been hurt by the dramatic fall in the Aussie dollar since July. Wholesale businesses have reported the largest swing, with 43% indicating a positive impact in July and 89% now indicating that the dollar is negatively affecting their operation.

Recent downward movements in petrol prices are showing through, with a 42% decline since September in the number of executives negatively affected by fuel costs.

Despite suggestions that inflation is coming under control, executives are indicating that price rises will occur in the March 2009 quarter. Selling price expectations have risen by 34% over the past nine months to reach the highest level ever recorded by the survey. Eighty two per cent of executives indicate that they will raise prices in the New Year.

Despite the gloomy forecast, Dr Duncan Ironmonger, Dun & Bradstreet's economic consultant, says Australia will come through the current global downturn in better shape than most industrial countries.

"The federal government and Reserve Bank have the capacity to stimulate economic growth and have indicated that they will use that capacity as necessary throughout 2009," says Dr Ironmonger.

"If world oil prices remain low, Australians should receive some relief on cost pressures.

"The lower value of the Australian dollar will encourage domestic spending and exports; however, it will discourage imports."
Ritchie Bros. auction earns $54M
Ritchie Bros. auction earns $54M 1 Sep 2022 - Houston, TX, United States - 1 min read
Record 11/11 sales for EP
Record 11/11 sales for EP 2 Dec 2021 - Hangzhou, China - 1 min read
Forklift sales surge Down Under
Forklift sales surge Down Under 21 May 2020 - Australia - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

It’s the year 2000. You’re in front of a boxy beige desktop waiting for the screeching ramblings of your dial-up to reach its finale. You go to Yahoo!, MSN, or maybe AOL, and start the mind-numbing process of finding your very specific needle in the digital haystack. And with web pages loading one image at a time, patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement!

As clumsy as this early iteration seems now, this technology was the great enabler that allowed Forkliftaction to connect to the industry across the globe.  

To everyone who has connected with Forkliftaction in the past 25 years, thank you for your contribution to our success! We feel deeply touched by your words of encouragement.

What has Forkliftaction meant to you? Drop us a line.

Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, we have received inquiries and more and more people are aware of Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock Co.,Ltd, which fits with our company's goal to go global and let the world know more about the benefits of our Xilin brand.

Michille Shi, Vice General Manager Sales

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

It’s the year 2000. You’re in front of a boxy beige desktop waiting for the screeching ramblings of your dial-up to reach its finale. You go to Yahoo!, MSN, or maybe AOL, and start the mind-numbing process of finding your very specific needle in the digital haystack. And with web pages loading one image at a time, patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement!

As clumsy as this early iteration seems now, this technology was the great enabler that allowed Forkliftaction to connect to the industry across the globe.  

To everyone who has connected with Forkliftaction in the past 25 years, thank you for your contribution to our success! We feel deeply touched by your words of encouragement.

What has Forkliftaction meant to you? Drop us a line.

PREMIUM business

Lift Tek Elecar
Global leader in the design and manufacture of masts, carriages, integral sideshifters & fork positioners.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

PREMIUM business

Shenzhen Wellwit Robotics Co., Ltd
The Largest AMR/AGV ODM/OEM Manufacturer in China.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

It’s the year 2000. You’re in front of a boxy beige desktop waiting for the screeching ramblings of your dial-up to reach its finale. You go to Yahoo!, MSN, or maybe AOL, and start the mind-numbing process of finding your very specific needle in the digital haystack. And with web pages loading one image at a time, patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement!

As clumsy as this early iteration seems now, this technology was the great enabler that allowed Forkliftaction to connect to the industry across the globe.  

To everyone who has connected with Forkliftaction in the past 25 years, thank you for your contribution to our success! We feel deeply touched by your words of encouragement.

What has Forkliftaction meant to you? Drop us a line.