Norfolkbroads.com
The UK leisure and small craft Marine Industry comprises somewhere in the region of 4,300 businesses and sole traders. These businesses represent recreational craft and small commercial vessels up to 50 metres in length and not what is known as traditional shipbuilding. The UK market share that these businesses represent is £3.1 billion with international trade being 35% of the total turnover.
The East of England has always had a long and ancient tradition and association with the marine industry. It’s a region that’s bordered by the North Sea, boasts the inland waterways of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and the Fenland canals and includes a National Park. Marine Industries based in this area are a vital element of the regions economy, representing 12.6% (£391.4 Million) of the UKs total marine industry turnover.
A report from the British Marine Federation has seen a significant increase in the East of Englands’ Boat manufacturing, and distribution is the largest sector within the marine industry, accounting for 39%. However, interestingly the consumer and business services sector accounts for 34%. Distribution of equipment and engine systems makes up the balance of 27%.
With such a significant market, businesses who do not provide an Internet presence or an on-line sales facility are going to loose out on potential and existing customers, as more and more buyers are preferring e-commerce to the more conventional methods.
“Retailers who do not provide an online sales option to their customers are going to lose out on their business, as more shoppers are preferring e-commerce to high street shopping”. Businesses which do not invest in e-commerce are 30% more likely to fail”
In December 2008 there was an online spending increase of 14.2% from 2007. Online retail sales in the UK rose from £46.6 billion in 2007 to £53.2 billion in 2008.
This level of surfing the Internet puts the UK amongst the top 5 of the 11 countries surveyed with the USA in the top spot. This rise in on-line sales is in stark contrast to the closure of several well known high street brands. With the trend that consumers now shop using the Internet rather than their feet, Marine businesses who do not enable their consumers to shop ‘24 in 7’ from the convenience of their own home, are at a real disadvantage.
With an estimated increase of 90% of the adult population turning to the on-line shopping experience, businesses transferring from ‘bricks to clicks’ can boost their profits substantially, reduce running costs and above all, capture consumer spending around the clock.
Watch how Woolworths will rise like a phoenix from the ashes …. with the power of the internet.
…………..Norfolkbroads.com
Sources – British Marine Federation: Tenon Recovery: Norfolkbroads.com: