GE Capital: Mid-market retailers sound positive note

New York -- Just under half of retail firms expect industry expansion, and over two-thirds will consider seeking additional financing in the coming year. And 45% believe the sector will expand in the year ahead. That’s according to a survey by GE Capital of C-suite executives at middle market companies (ranging from $10 million to less than $1 billion in sales).



Performance in the middle-market retail sector was positive over the past year, the survey found, with 75% of firms reporting improved year-over-year financial performance.



Other retail-specific findings include:



• One-third of retail businesses will consider additional financing to make an acquisition in the next 12 months



• Two-thirds of middle-market retail leaders expect online sales to become increasingly important to their business. However, only 50% have websites optimized for mobile purchases, with 16% planning on optimizing them over the next 12 months.



• Staffing and employment challenges are common in the retail sector with talent acquisition, retention/turnover and training being key internal concerns.



• Middle-market leaders in retail also express concern about how the economy will impact their business. An increasingly competitive business environment is cited as an external challenge to retail firms.