The accounts of the companies find colors in Corrèze. According to the barometer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry among business leaders in the department, over the last half-year, margins, cash and, above all, turnover are generally in the green. Moreover, a sign of better economic activity, the number of proceedings for judicial liquidations fell by half between 2020 and 2021.
In detail, the trade, industry and service sectors are experiencing a strong recovery in activity. Without surprise, hotels/restaurants and events continue to show losses for this year 2021 according to the barometer of the CCI Corrèze due to restrictions due to the health crisis.
Rising prices and difficulties in recruiting
These good results do not mask certain difficulties encountered by Corrèze companies. First, there is a major recruitment problem encountered in many sectors. For seven out of ten job offers, Corrèze recruiters simply did not receive any CVs on their table. A shortage which impacts the activity of companies which penalizes them in their activity and sometimes their growth. “It is the business manager who must seduce the employee today”, notes Françoise Cayre, the president of the Corrèze CCI. “This was not necessarily the case before the crisis.
But these adjustments and this balance to be found between private and professional life sometimes remain difficult: “We will need a real seduction effect with regard to employees, with no doubt regular rest periods. But in certain sectors it remains difficult. We know that it is easier for us to go to restaurants during weekends and holidays. holiday periods. This means well-structured teams at the level of our restaurateurs, it’s a real challenge.”
Inflation also penalizes businesses in the department. The rise in the prices of raw materials, hydrocarbons or even, in recent weeks, electricity are a brake. Margins, although in the green, are down slightly at the end of 2021. “When you see the cost of electricity for businesses, it’s just dramatic. We conducted a survey in New Aquitaine, more than 80% say that they are in some cases forced to reorganize, it’s to say to take advantage of a production rather at night than during the day to save money. We observe that this will necessarily affect the margins of the companies. For 2022, overall, Corrèze companies are forecasting lower turnover, margins and cash flow compared to 2021.
However, investment forecasts remain at a high level, shows the CCI barometer. Executives say they are 65% confident about the future of their company and, despite the rise in prices, 3/4 of companies do not plan to cut staff in 2022. “Today, we have very few companies that are insolvent“, concludes Françoise Cayre, “But the next six months are ones to watch closely. This speculation and its price increases are starting to weigh heavily on our businesses.”