Business during this year’s trade fair has been generally poor compared to last year, the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) said yesterday.

The results of a survey carried out among exhibitors, show that only three per cent said there had been an improvement over the previous year, while a staggering 63 per cent of the respondents concluded that the trade fair’s outcome was worse than last year’s.

Eight per cent, on the other hand, concluded that the outcome was a good one, while 26 per cent said that there was no change from the previous year.

GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia said the sample of the survey was very representative of exhibitors from various sectors and about one-third of the total 315 exhibitors at the fair had responded to the survey, which was carried out by telephone.

The research unit normally carries out two surveys – one during the fair itself and another one after the fair has ended. However, the particular situation arising from the fact that this year’s fair coincided with the World Cup finals had made this rather difficult, so the GRTU decided to carry out just one survey at the end of the fair.

Respondents were also questioned about the outcome of their own business, and 64 per cent of the exhibitors said that the situation was worse compared with the fair held last year. While 26 per cent said they saw no change, 10 per cent said that their business had registered an improvement over the previous year.

Marcel Mizzi, from the Chamber’s research unit, said the results show that no particular sector had experienced a marked improvement this year. The few exhibitors that registered improved sales attributed this to their own marketing efforts, new schemes and further discounts, he said.

Many exhibitors, said Mr Mizzi, had reported that, as a result of discount schemes being offered all year round, the international fair of Malta had lost its importance. The public perceives the fair as “an evening out” instead of an opportunity to see what is on the market and buy something for a good price.

In fact, when asked which sectors they thought had done well this year, many pointed to the catering services at the fair, said the GRTU.

Mr Mizzi added that it was also evident from the survey, that most exhibitors believed there was a lack of disposable income and this was having a direct effect on the turnover of their businesses. The drop in turnover and profitability that has come out in other surveys carried out by the GRTU is similar to this survey’s result and the percentages are nearly the same.

The GRTU said that exhibitors selling products that required electrical power to operate obviously fared worse, and many exhibitors suggested that sectors involved in solar energy and energy-efficient products did better.

While the GRTU’s suggestions included better marketing strategies and better organisation at the fair, many of the respondents’ suggestions were taken up by the organisers. These included free admission to the fair, a reduction in the price of stands and ways of ensuring that all areas received the same exposure. It had also been suggested that opening and closing times be moved back, since it was evident that the first hour-and-a-half was not the best time for the public because of the hot July weather.

Although ways of improving the trade fair were many and varied, the GRTU said it was clear that the majority of exhibitors blamed this year’s poor performance on the state of the economy in general and the lack of disposable income. Many feel that, no matter what the Trade Fair Corporation does, there is no way the outcome will improve unless the economy improves and the consumer is willing to spend more money, the Chamber said.