Recession ahoy!

The best sales manager I ever had would never allow negative talk on the sales floor. He believed that it was all too easy to talk yourself into a recession and believe the end was nigh. Over time, I learned he was right, although I could never practice such wild optimism – especially when you see your preferred and previously very successful transport and logistics firm go to the wall.

Beamish Transport in County Durham has gone bust and I, for one, am devastated. This also means the leisure industry will be consolidating, as Beamish had a great set-up with Elddis Caravans and Motorhomes. Mind you, the caravan and motorhome industry has had a sales run beyond their wildest dreams.

Elsewhere, even the most solid dealerships are having their first ‘we must get the money in’ sale in more than a decade. This is alarming. I also get market reports from BCA, CAP and the like and none of it makes for good reading. The thought of a recession and a dip in residuals is enough to make some consolidate their stocking policy.

However, I’m not getting bad news from all quarters, so there is definite reason to remain optimistic. The crunch time will be over the school holidays – that’s when the used car buyer leaves the country. Then again, the tour operators are saying its ‘staycation’ time, so we’ll have to see what happens. My advice is to get out there and bag a bargain. Even if the Trade isn’t in recession, just the thought of it sharpens the mind.

‘It’s all too easy to talk yourself into a recession and believe the end is nigh’