Industry Feels The Heat

More than 86 per cent of survey respondents expect to enjoy a 2019 falling somewhere between ‘OK’ and ‘Extremely Good’.
More than 86 per cent of survey respondents expect to enjoy a 2019 falling somewhere between ‘OK’ and ‘Extremely Good’.

According to findings from the Wet Leisure Industry Survey, released earlier this year, the industry is planning on another strong year despite political and economic uncertainty.If we ever doubted we were like an industry of ice-cream sellers, 62.9 per cent said the weather would be the biggest influence on their business year on year. Businesses of between one and five employees make up 60 per cent of the respondents. Pools returned to the top of the workflow charts at 82.7 per cent, edging out spas at 78.2 per cent. Once again the Survey saw growth in the purely commercial sector, up from 2 per cent in previous years to four per cent last year and 4.6 per cent this year.

Industry Feels The Heat pic 3The South East has always been the largest region in the industry but its relative size has diminished over time, from 40 per cent of the 2011 sample to 33 per cent of this year’s. The North has shown consistent growth although this year’s figures show that to have fallen back a little. Wales has grown from a steady 5 per cent of the sample over the years, to 10 per cent of 2018 responses. Showroom sales dipped to an all-time low of 45 per cent, following a trend that has been visible since the survey began. Service and repairs continues to be the dominant activity in the industry as it has been since 2013 when it overtook installation. The number of businesses involved in the service and maintenance of spas in the holiday let sector is growing and growing. Although HSG282 provides guidelines for the work, it’s clear that most spa owners see the benefit of a spa professional maintaining the water quality.Saving energy and improving existing installations top the market trends chart. Recommendations by word-of-mouth were by far the most popular form of marketing.

Industry Feels The Heat pic 5More than 86 per cent of survey respondents expect to enjoy a 2019 falling somewhere between ‘OK’ and ‘Extremely Good’. “Year in, year out, we see evidence that businesses typically expect the year ahead to be much like the one that’s just finished,” says Jamie Adams. “Last year’s outstanding weather certainly played a role in many companies’ successes.” While most respondents hold an optimistic view of the year ahead, the Survey also highlighted the challenges they felt the future might hold. Respondents raised concerns over meeting ever increasing customer expectations, training and recruitment, and legislative updates. “Brexit certainly remains as the biggest question mark on the horizon,” says Jamie. “Nearly one-in-three respondents specifically mentioned it in their comments. However, whether you see it as a problem or an opportunity, no one can say exactly what its effect will be. Jamie Adams concludes: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey and encourage many more to do so moving forward. “By sharing your views, you’re helping to create an even more detailed and accurate view of our industry.”

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