2022 Annual Business Survey Results
There’s no doubt that the past few years have been challenging for businesses, with the impacts of Covid-19 presenting significant difficulties. However as we emerge from the pandemic, it is clear that Victor Harbor businesses are feeling generally confident about what lies ahead.
In late 2022, the City of Victor Harbor and Business Victor Harbor circulated a business survey to gain insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by our local business community.
Businesses who completed the survey were from a range of industries, including construction, retailing, tourism, hospitality, health services and more.
Business owners were asked a series of questions relating to challenges, opportunities, and forecasts for their business. They also shared their opinions on a range of aspects relating to operating a business in Victor Harbor.
Most notably, 96 out of the 102 businesses surveyed indicated that they were ‘very optimistic’, ‘optimistic’ or ‘neutral’ about the future of their business in the region.
Some of the key findings from the survey include:
- Rising utility costs, price pressure from customers and rising wages were noted as major constrains for business growth.
- Two thirds of businesses reported that their performance over the six months prior to December 2022 was either ‘somewhat stronger’ or ‘about the same’.
- ‘Lifestyle and amenity’ was the top factor making Victor Harbor an attractive place to operate business.
- Many businesses have shown an interest in learning more about the circular economy, with 39% of respondents noting they know ‘very little’ or ‘nothing’ about its benefits to businesses and supply chains.
- Low income households, seasonality and availability of skilled labour are some of the factors that make it difficult to operate a business in Victor Harbor.