Business Pilot barometer reveals positive start to 2024

Last week I commented on how the housing market defied expectations in January with Zoopla reporting that sales were up 13% year on year, in the first three weeks of 2024.

Inflation and the cost of living may still be relatively high, but it seems that homeowners and prospective home buyers have been encouraged by more attractive lending rates.

The message here, is that consumer confidence in the housing sector typically translates as good news further down the line for fabricators and installers.

And that positive outlook has been reinforced by the latest Business Pilot Barometer which shows a welcome rebound in sales in January, despite a broader, more pessimistic outlook for the industry.

Average sales were back up to levels last seen in November 2023 and 43.4% higher, year on year. Average leads were also up 23.2% compared to the same period 12 months ago.

You can read the full report and analysis here.

This week also marks National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). The theme for this year’s NAW, which has been running for 17 years, is ‘Skills for Life’, a theme that is being recognised and celebrated by many organisations across the UK, including at the Glazerite Group.

The Glazerite Group currently has a number of apprentices within the business, operating in a variety of roles, and all making a big contribution to the ongoing success of the company.

You can read more about who they are and what they do here, in an article that highlights the importance of investing in new, talented and hardworking people.

As Glazerite’s Group managing director, Rob Brearley, says ‘apprenticeships are the perfect solution for businesses looking to welcome new talent and fill skills gaps, and an ideal route into rewarding careers for individuals of every age.’