Roofline hit by turbulent economy
Sales, quarter-on-quarter
A net* 14% of roofline stockists and installers reported a drop in sales in August to October 2008 compared with May to July 2008.
* The net balance is the difference between the percentage of companies reporting an increase over those reporting a decrease.
While large companies (net 19%) sold more, mid-sized (11%) and small firms (30%) fell back. Across the country, stockists and installers in the South saw no change but those in the North (9%) and Midlands (36%) sold less roofline. More specialist installers (45%) reported a decline than specialist stockists (16%).
August to October 2008 sales compared with the previous three months by company size
Size |
Increase |
Decrease |
Same |
Total |
Base |
Small |
18% |
48% |
34% |
100% |
40 |
Medium |
18% |
30% |
52% |
100% |
44 |
Large |
38% |
19% |
43% |
100% |
16% |
Total |
21% |
35% |
44%% |
100% |
100 |
August to October 2008 sales compared with the previous three months by region
| Region | Increase | Decrease | Same | Total | Base |
| South | 32% | 32% | 36% | 100% | 37% |
| Midlands | 10% | 45% | 45% | 100% | 31% |
| North | 19% | 28% | 53% | 100% | 32% |
| Total | 21% | 35% | 44%% | 100% | 100 |
Sales, year-on-year
On balance, 24% of stockists and installers sold less roofline between August and October 2008 compared with the same three months of 2007 (chart 1).
While sales were up for large companies (net 25%), small and mid-sized firms (33%) noted a decrease. Stockists and installers in all regions reported a drop, with those in the Midlands (42%) affected the most. Significantly more specialist installers (65%) saw a decrease than specialist stockists (13%).
