The fifth phase of the DMA’s barometer of the key concerns and impact Coronavirus is having on the data and marketing industry reveals first signs of recovery. But despite these early indications concerns about difficult staffing decisions in the coming months also see a significant increase.
Data and marketing professionals estimate their trading revenues improved from down 44% in June to down 34% in July. While being down by a third is still a long way from normal trading, it will be welcomed by many who responded voicing their concerns about the future of their businesses.
This increase in revenues is also reflective of the gradual, but continued, return of ‘Business as usual’ capacity many are seeing, now at 68% in July – up from 53% at the start of lockdown. Despite these very early signs of recovery, concerns about the impact on businesses has remained high and the number of businesses applying for the UK Government’s ‘Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme’ has increased markedly i – up from 9% to 16% month-on-month. Additionally, 23% of companies believe they will only be able to continue trading for six months or less.
“According to our barometer of data and marketing businesses, concerns remain high about the future. Despite early signs that revenues might be returning, this is still markedly down on pre-pandemic levels,” says Chris Combemale, CEO of the DMA. “In these difficult financial times for many businesses, these latest figures suggest difficult decisions for many in the coming months, particularly when it comes to staffing. So, it’s also encouraging to see many utilising the government schemes on offer to help avoid redundancies as much as possible.”
Difficult decisions ahead
Organizations surveyed in July reported a significant increase in those believing they definitely will or have already had to make staffing changes amid the pandemic. Businesses that have or expect to not retain freelance or short-term staff increased to 44%, from 33% in the previous phase from June.
More concerning is…
