SMEs positive about trading, says Shutl

SMEs are positive about trading conditions during 2017 and into 2018, a Shutl survey has found.

According to the research, out of the 500 SME business owners surveyed, nearly two thirds believed their business would be in a stronger position by Spring 2018. A third of those surveyed said smarter and better delivery options for smaller sellers were key to that stronger position.

The research also found that 73 per cent of those surveyed identified competition from larger online retailers as being the biggest threat to the success of their business in 2017/18. 59 per cent felt the spread of delivery or distribution networks gave larger retailers the biggest competitive edge.

But 34 per cent felt smarter ecommerce technology, and better delivery options for SME retailers would help them compete more effectively.

“The results of this survey point to buoyant SME retailers, who are increasingly using technology and smarter selling options to compete against the bigger retailers with larger budgets,” said Jason Tavaria, head of Shutl. “Today delivery is no longer such a big USP.

“Carriers have become increasingly savvy about the SME group as a compelling audience, and in turn costs have reduced and technology is supporting an infrastructure that is dynamic and cost effective.

“Thus the continuing technological innovation to support SMEs is making it easier, and more cost effective for this group to compete.”