Optimist or pessimist?
16 November 2009Depending on your personal character you might be the sort of person who looks at a half full glass of water (or maybe beer or wine would be a better analogy) and think in one of two ways. If you think to yourself my glass is half full you may be an optimistic person or you may think that my glass is half empty and you may be a more pessimistic type.
It is a simple unscientific question but gives a clue of how we view the world on a personal level.
On our website www.leathermag.com we post an opinion poll on the homepage. It is open for anyone to enter an opinion and the results are instantly accessible. In recent months the poll has posed several different questions on a range of topics. The question, which was posted online between October and December 2008 asked the following question: Do you see 2009 being a better year (than 2008) for the leather industry? The results were as follows: Yes, things will improve 37%, no change 21% and finally, no, conditions will get worse 42%. Clearly, the results show that the industry is in a more pessimistic mood, which you would probably expect looking at state of the global economy.
The results also probably reflect the breakdown of the international leather market. If your business is largely supplying the automotive and furniture sectors with leather then the outlook is probably bleak and looks like it will remain so for the rest of the year. Daily news bulletins tell of automotive plant closures, job losses and falling sales.
Despite the gloomy outlook for many businesses others continue to prosper. Retail discounting has meant that the unit price of footwear has remained low attracting customers into the shops. Demand for footwear leather has remained fairly good and unlike other leather items is still considered a necessary purchase rather than option. As the poll suggests the overall mood is more down than up but it is not all bad news and some businesses are prospering during these difficult times.
As the new editor of the magazine I would like to welcome you all to a new era in the magazines 142 year history. Taking the helm of what is probably the most famous and widely read publication in the world for the tanning industry is a major responsibility but I will be looking to evolve the publication and website to keep pace with the industry. I look forward to working with those that I already know in the industry and meeting new people and making new contacts from around the world.
As in the past we will continue to welcome you views and opinion about what is happening in the industry and we always welcome interesting letters from our readers.
I am also pleased to announce that my predecessor, Shelagh Davy, has agreed to stay on as a consultant editor where I will be able to tap into her many years of experience. Full details about Shelagh’s retirement party can be found on page 35.
