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Uptick in trade conditions: Sacci

Cape Town - Trade conditions turned positive in the past two months, according to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (Sacci) trade conditions survey released on Wednesday.

It warned however that continuing power cuts remained a worry for business.

"In November 2014, the Trade Activity Index (TAI) remained in positive territory as it measured 59, compared to 57 in October 2014," Sacci said in a statement.

This was despite electricity supply disruptions late last month.

Retail sales figures

"Although the economy remains depressed and troubled by relatively low export volumes [and] strong import volumes, there was a relative improvement in retail sales volumes compared to earlier this year."

However, these were dampened by power supply constraints in November.

"In the absence of such constraints, a higher retail sales figure would have been supported given that many stores were impacted during month end trading."

Expectations for both sales and input price increases were lower as the respective indices either remained unchanged or decreased.

Growing concerns

"The Trade Expectations Index (TEI) was more sensitive to concerns about electricity supply continuity.

"Although the respondents to the Sacci November 2014 trade survey remained positive about trade conditions for the coming six months, the seasonally adjusted expectations index decreased from 65 in October 2014 to 61 in November 2014."

Employment conditions in the trade environment were also sensitive to growing concerns about access to power.

"The employment index remained positive at 51, compared to 52 in October 2014. Prospects for employment also remained positive, although the expectations index declined to 51 in November 2014."

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