Trending up. I see increases in sales of 27, 29, 8, and 15 through February. We were down overall for 2011 over 15 percent even with an amazing close. Those are strong numbers coming in, but it will take a sustained increase over the next 5 months to make up for a dismal 18 months prior. We got into some holes that we need to slowly climb out of. The biggest challenge is holding back increasing prices to keep market competitiveness. I can't absorb all the prices increases that come in all forms from taxing, part and unit suppliers, and even service providers such as uniforms, garbage pickup, etc. Not to mention the horrid increases in health insurance and even in liability and umbrella insurance. Workman's comp held steady and that's good. I am optimistic because we seem to be enjoying a sustained growth, and not just a short spike. Actually toying with the idea of a bit of expansion if we can catch up over the next few months. We seem to be short staffed a lot of the time, but not the majority of the time and I am holding off hiring at this point. If this continues and we are saturated, I will consider hiring.
Been really depressing to hold bill payment back and wait til who screams the loudest. Just a few more good months, and I think we can get on better footing to be on time with all bills, and not carry interest charges and late fees. That's a cycle I hate, but for small businesses it can be part of the ebb and flow. Hanging tight and doing the best to shuffle and juggle during the hard times and not throw up your hands and give up has been my wife's solid support mantra to keep me going, and it looks like it's paying off. Even when I would trek home in utter sadness and misery, she believes I can weather the storm and turn things around. We had to make some serious staffing changes mid year and that hurt the most. It's also embarrassing when the checkbook doesn't have the money to pay all the bills when they come due, and I hate the calls.
Our business is rough in the sense that we were hurt by customer's going out of business, by the cash for clunkers program, and by low price rock bottom competitors that would never have our sense of integrity in the marketplace. Those competitors did well doing awful things as they took advantage of the depressed marketplace and fear. Ultimately, with patience, that pays off for us as customers come back. I think our loyalty factor continues to increase. Our gas station and convenience business has been in steady decline for years as vehicles are more fuel efficient and big boxes sprout up around us and we can't even try to be competitive there, but that remains in a situation that pays for itself.
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