Almost half (43 per cent) of retailers questioned in a PwC survey say their business outlook for the next six months was a favourable one.

The more optimistic ones have retail outlets in Sliema and Mosta and the least hopeful ones are located in Paola. Of all the participants only 17 per cent had a negative outlook for the anticipated six months, according to the latest Middle Market Barometer from PwC Malta focusing on the local retail industry.

The barometer presents an observation into the investment and innovation plans of the industry, besides gauging the levels of business, outlook and concerns of the players in the market.

When it came to innovation plans 17 per cent said that they are working on the introduction of the concept in the coming months. A further 19 per cent are planning some form of capital investment within their outlet. 

Regarding relocation plans, 15 per cent are aiming to change their outlet location or intend to expand further. Retailers in St Julian’s have topped the list when it came to planning these moves or expansions with the highest score of 17 per cent coming from those involved in ICT equipment sales.

Forty per cent of retailers questioned highlighted that they manage a customer database internally. Once again, retailers involved in the sale of ICT equipment were the major contributors to the total with 58 per cent, closely followed by clothing and fashion retailers at 43 per cent.

The most positive response came from Gozo and Mosta

The results of the 2018 retail barometer showed that while 41 per cent of interviewees have no recruitment plans in the foreseeable future, 36 per cent have been successful with their recruiting efforts and selecting the right fit.

Thirty-eight per cent of those questioned stated that in the last six months leading to this study, their business has increased. This is a slightly higher figure than the previous retail barometer conducted by PwC Malta in 2016 which had a 32 per cent positive response. The most positive response came from Gozo and Mosta.

Asked about the daily and ongoing business concerns that retailers face, competition was the main concern at 34 per cent, followed by 33 per cent for parking and accessibility and 22 per cent with online shopping habits. Since the last retail barometer conducted in 2016, a shift in business concerns occurred where competition was not an imminent concern for retailers while parking and accessibility proved to be the highest issue on their list of concerns at 41 per cent followed by online shopping which remained at a constant with 28 per cent.

 Over 200 Maltese retailers participated in the study conducted through phone interviews. It can be found at www.pwc.com/mt/barometer.

David Valenzia, territory senior partner at PwC Malta, welcomed the results of the barometer, which he said, signal the importance of a continuous reassessment of the traditional business models employed by the industry, in a scenario driven by new technology trends and a drive to enhance customer experience.

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