HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2019: In most surveyed countries,* more than three in five businesses report rosy expectations for 2019. More than two in three businesses expect profits to increase in 2019 across most countries (52%-77%), with the exception of Germany and Japan, where expectations of increased profits are somewhat lower (52% and 53%, respectively).
MARKETING TO SUPPORT 2019 GROWTH: Businesses cite a variety of strategies to support revenue growth in 2019. The most common strategy across most countries is to increase marketing (42%-69%), with going after larger projects as a close second (48%-71%). Improving customer experience is another popular strategy, expected by over two in five businesses (44%-54%).
STRONG 2018 DESPITE RISING COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS: At least two in five businesses across countries report increases in 2018 gross revenue (48%-71%) with the exception of Japan and Denmark & Sweden (combined) who are on the lower end at 42% and 40%, respectively. At least one in three report increases in 2018 gross profits (35%-50%). Two in five businesses report the cost of doing business increasing (39%-78%), with Spain and Japan being on the lower end (39% and 41%, respectively).
COMMON THREAD IN 2018 CHALLENGES: Businesses faced a variety of challenges in 2018. Managing cost-sensitive consumers was a common challenge among businesses around the world (28%-52%%), with the exception of Germany which found hiring challenges to be the most significant (29%)
*Houzz Research studies trends in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, Japan, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Download the Full Report
MARKETING TO SUPPORT 2019 GROWTH: Businesses cite a variety of strategies to support revenue growth in 2019. The most common strategy across most countries is to increase marketing (42%-69%), with going after larger projects as a close second (48%-71%). Improving customer experience is another popular strategy, expected by over two in five businesses (44%-54%).
STRONG 2018 DESPITE RISING COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS: At least two in five businesses across countries report increases in 2018 gross revenue (48%-71%) with the exception of Japan and Denmark & Sweden (combined) who are on the lower end at 42% and 40%, respectively. At least one in three report increases in 2018 gross profits (35%-50%). Two in five businesses report the cost of doing business increasing (39%-78%), with Spain and Japan being on the lower end (39% and 41%, respectively).
COMMON THREAD IN 2018 CHALLENGES: Businesses faced a variety of challenges in 2018. Managing cost-sensitive consumers was a common challenge among businesses around the world (28%-52%%), with the exception of Germany which found hiring challenges to be the most significant (29%)
*Houzz Research studies trends in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, Japan, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Download the Full Report