Southern small firms’ revenues lag

OTAGO was the only region in the country where small business revenues were in decline for September.

Xero small business insights show revenues and hiring intentions rose last month, Northland and Canterbury leading the way.

The Xero report identified Queenstown as having dropped 10.5% and Otago overall dropping 2.2%.

That was in contrast with the country as a whole, where revenues were up 3.4%.

Northland was up 10.7%, Canterbury 7.1%, Wellington 5.4%, and Waikato 3.7%.

Hospitality was the industry that continued to struggle, having a 7% drop in revenues, up slightly on the 9% slump for August.

Most industries recorded positive revenue growth in September; manufacturing was up 11%, followed by improvement in construction (9%), retail trade (8%) and real estate (6%).

The average number of jobs in the small business sector rose by almost 1% across the country last month, after falling 1.4% in August.

Small business employment is now sitting at 1.8% below precrisis levels.

Xero managing director for New Zealand and Pacific Islands Craig Hudson said it was encouraging to see revenues improving yearonyear across other regions of this country.

‘‘It appears people are taking the message of buying local to heart and really embracing local small business to help keep our economy thriving,’’ Mr Hudson said.

‘‘We have also seen the average time it takes for small businesses to get paid stabilise at a rate slightly faster than preCovid (25.1 days), suggesting Kiwis are making an effort to settle invoices and pay bills on time to support suppliers. That will be a big help to many of our small businesses.’’

The recovery of employment was mixed in the month.

Regionally, jobs were up compared with March this year, while reported jobs were below precrisis levels in Auckland (down 2.8%), Northland (7.9%), Queenstown (6.1%) and Waikato (3%).

The number of jobs in the small business sector rose in Wellington (up 3.9%), Hawke’s Bay, (up 3%), and Canterbury (up 2.2%).

‘‘While most regions are yet to recover all jobs lost since March, the fact jobs numbers haven’t declined further as wage subsidies begin to wane is promising,’’ Mr Hudson said.

‘‘Looking at the employment figures compared to revenue, it seems hospitality business owners are working longer hours without hiring extra hands due to the uncertainty of the future.’’

Hospitality jobs remained the hardest hit; employment figures in the sector were down 10.8% on the first week of March precrisis figures. — Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald

❛ It appears people are taking the message of buying local to heart . . .