Editor's Blog

Just to wish all of you heading to Munich for Fespa Global's opening tomorrow a happy, safe trip. I’d love to hear from you on your return as to what caught your eye. Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping everyone updated on product launches etc. on the Image Reports website. Enjoy!

Professor Len Shackleton, at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, has come out saying that new Office for National Statistics labour market data “could be the harbinger of a downturn”, noting payrolled employee numbers fell by 136,000 in April - the first fall in over two years - and that job vacancies had fallen for the tenth consecutive month. Do you feel this is representative of the large-format print sector?

Fespa Global is no doubt on many a mind as the event draws closer, but I thought it also worth reminding you of another event, closer to home, that should perhaps also be in your diary. Impact 23, the POPAI sustainability summit, will take place on 14 June in London. It may be worth popping over to the website to check out the line-up as it’s pre-order ticket entry only. Oh, and remember there’s a large-format automated production showcase tomorrow (16 May) at Canon’s Birmingham showroom.

With analysts expecting the Bank of England to raise interest rates to 4.50% today (11 May), The Institute of Economic Affairs’ Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC) has come out saying that the rise is unnecessary to control inflation. Do you expect the decision - whichever way it goes - to have much impact on your business?

Figures of up to £1bn are being bandied about in relation to the boost King Charles III’s upcoming coronation will give to the British economy. That deserves some flag waving – hope some of them [and other printed commemorative merchandise] have been printed by you. Let the celebrations begin…

Well today is the last day of the inaugural Fespa WrapFest at Silverstone racing circuit. Did you go - are you still there? Let me know what you thought of the event. I’m wondering if it’s triggered any new thinking among wide-format print PSPs…

I’m back, all refreshed and supercharged after a little break last week, and getting to grips with all I have to do before we have three more minibreaks upon us in May. What’s your view on that – is the upcoming month of four-day weeks a chance to recharge your batteries or more of a drain on your resources?  

…I know, I know, I’ve mentioned this before - but could I please ask those of you that have not yet done so to link through to our annual Widthwise Survey of the UK’s large-format print providers. The poll can be accessed right here  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/65CMDY3  As always you’ll be rewarded with a free, independent report based on the data analysis of real grassroots info. The more PSPs that participate the better that data will be - so please help us to help you. Thank you.

What exactly is meant by being a ‘full service’ print provider? Every company seems to be one - so why bother saying it? It’s one of those terms that’s come to mean everything and nothing all at once. Is there a better way of telling clients what you’re all about? Just asking….

Do you consider your business to be part of the manufacturing sector? If so, are your thoughts in alignment with Andrew Matthews, partner at accountancy group MHA, who - following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI earlier this week - is calling for the government to expand and simplify investment incentives, saying: “The storm is far from over for manufacturing. Inflation, Brexit and skill shortages are still chipping away at the sector. The withdrawal of the super deduction and the Corporation Tax raise to 25% will certainly have a negative impact on investment in the marketplace. More and more manufacturers will be cautious for the future, forecasting a much less optimistic outlook than in previous years.” I reckon this sector is somewhat more optimistic - do you? We’ll find out when we crunch the numbers from our 2023 Widthwise survey of UK wide-format PSPs. I’d love to get your input if I haven’t already. The poll closes on 21 April, so there’s still time: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/65CMDY3

Only 11% of UK organisations currently meet the criteria to be considered a ‘data leader’ according to new research commissioned by Lenovo. Fair enough, it only polled senior executives in organisations with revenues of $500m or more, across five countries, to explore how businesses are harnessing data, and where they can use it to their advantage. I take it your revenues aren’t quite that high - nor your data collection/analysis aspirations - but how confident are you of your data prowess in relation to your own competitors?

So, the World Out of Home Organization (WOO) has set up a ‘Sustainability Task Force’ in its mission to green-up out-of-home advertising. Doubtless there are groups tasked with all sorts of missions and I’d like to find out who’s leading up what when it comes to the wide-format print sector. Are you leading up any kind of task force - other than for improving your company’s sustainability, because every business has one of those, doesn’t it?

Yay, British Summer Time! I must admit that the slight glimmer of sunshine this morning has made me feel somewhat more upbeat than I’ve been feeling most Monday mornings so far this year. How about you - feeling optimistic and confident about business? If so, great. If not, let me know what's raining on your parade.

It’s the last day of SDUK 2023 and I’m wondering what you thought of the show? Is it still a must-attend event for large-format print providers? I’d appreciate you letting me know your thinking on this, and on any other events you may, or may not, have on your calendar - either as a visitor, or perhaps as an exhibitor!