Disastrous first quarter for small entrepreneurs: “A horrendous summer lies ahead”

For small entrepreneurs the beginning of 2010 does not come with hopes of a rebound. Entrepreneurs are expecting a “horrendous” summer as far as sales are concerned.
Small and medium-sized companies were the most affected by the economic crisis last year, having to cut costs to the bone and reinvent their business.
“Last year we saw a 20-25% turnover decline. For us it would have been good to reach the 2009 level, but I expect this summer to be horrendous in terms of sales,” specifies the managing partner of Baby Design, an importer and distributor of children’s furniture and accessories, which had to close three of its four stores.
Ciuculin says in the context of the crisis and of the shortage of cash, customer behaviour has changed. “Clients ask us to sell the furniture in instalments, which was not the case in previous years, they are seeking price cuts (…).”
Gabriel Manea, sole partner of advertising creation and production company Biroul de Imagine, has let two employees go amid a decline in market demand. “I am now the only employee of the company, working for myself. December and November were disastrous. Before the crisis we were working nights to meet demand, and those two months fetched 25% of our turnover.