Out of 90 respondents, 41 said the summer quarter, covering June until August, was poorer than expected, 22 said it was much as they had forecast and 27 found it better than they’d hoped for.
But the survey also stated that 74% of firms were working below capacity during the summer period, the highest October figure since 2002.
Yet the Q3 report went on to say that 33% of respondents thought September until November would provide better trade than the same period last year, 33% thought it would be worse and 24% thought the 2007 and 2008 corresponding quarters would be much the same.
Directions shows optimism despite gloomy summer
The BPIF has recorded the worst results for the general state of trade in the industry since April 2006, but found a more positive outlook for the coming quarter, in its quarterly <i>Directions</i> survey.
