SBRB Retail Small Business Confidence Index Study: Retail Small Business Confidence Index Established By Small Businesses Research Board to Track Quar

NORTHFIELD, Ill. (Business Wire EON) October 16, 2007 -- The SBRB through its quarterly updates of the SBCI helps determine and track trends shared by business owners and managers in the US and Canada as well as in specific industries. The SBRB also issues quarterly SBCI reports for the construction / contracting, manufacturing and food / beverage businesses in the US. The SBRB U.S. survey programs are co-sponsored by International Profit Associates (IPA).

Based upon the responses during the third quarter, the SBRB has established an SBCI of 44.66 for the small retail sector An SBCI of 41 was also set for the distribution / wholesaling sector, another industry in which the SBCI was reported for the first time the past quarter. The SBRB has been tracking attitudes of businesses in these sectors since its inception, but this is the first time an SBCI has been determined.

By contrast, the overall SBCI for all small businesses responding to the quarterly survey was 43 or three points lower than the 46 recorded during the second quarter.

The SBRB polls capture the opinions of small businesses on such topics as the economy, revenue growth, hiring and significant issues, among others. The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the U. S. The SBRB studies are voluntary surveys conducted via direct telephone contact. Projections about the strength of the economy, revenues and hiring looking forward 12 months are the three key ingredients to determining the SBCI and providing the basis for the quarterly and annual comparisons.

"We are glad to be able to launch the retail industry SBCI. The Small Business Research Board has had significant success consistently utilizing its methodology to track the opinions of small business owners and managers throughout the US and we are certain this data will become a valuable real time management tool for owners and managers," said Gregg M. Steinberg, President of IPA.

The SBRB Retail Industry study indicated that 35% of the respondents believe the economy will improve during the next 12 months and that 59% believe their revenues will increase during the same period. Retailers intend to increase hiring to support their opinion. The survey results showed that 40% will add employees with 41% maintaining current staff levels.

The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations. The SBRB conducts these studies for the benefit of small business owners and managers. The SBRB also provides opportunities for third parties to gain real time insight into the attitudes of small businesses nationwide through the independently conducted research. The SBRB, based in Northfield, Il., has conducted similar quarterly studies in the U. S. since 2004.

The latest information about the Small Business Research Board can be found at www.ipasbrb.com.

International Profit Associates, Inc. (IPA) is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA and its more than 1,800 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the economic cycle. IPA either provides directly or through its affiliated companies a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial advisory services in the United States and Canada. More information about IPA can be found at www.ipa-iba.com.

SBRB INDUSTRY COMPARISONS

Third Quarter 2007 vs. Prior Quarter

              ALL US           Retail

Small

Business

Confidence

Index

Q3 2007       43               44.66

(Current)

Q2 2007       46               --

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Economy

Improving

Q3 2007       37               35

(Current)

Q2 2007       43               --

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Revenues

To Increase

Q3 2007

(Current)     53               59

Q2 2007       58               --

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Hiring

To Increase

Q3 2007                   39                40

(Current)

Q2 2007                   37                --

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-- Outlook for the general economy is for the next twelve months?

  35% Better

  32% Worse

  34% No Change

-- Revenue expectations for the next twelve months?

  44% Increase of 10% or more

  15% Increase of less than 10%

  31% Will be about the same

  5% Decrease of less than 10%

  5% Decrease of 10% or more

-- Expectation for hiring new employees during the next twelve months?

  40% Increase hiring

  10% Decrease workforce

  41% Remain the same

  8% Unsure

(a) numbers may not equal 100% as a result of rounding

Copyright 2007 Small Business Research Board (SBRB)

For more information about this poll, results of previous studies or other matters related to the SBRB, please contact Raymond D. Minkus, (847) 441-4192.