Quote Originally Posted by mickd1961 View Post
From my own point of view the cost and the hassle of running a business is just becoming too difficult.

The variables are changing so rapidly that it’s impossible to keep up with them.

We have to order our goods from each brand many months in advance due to production lead times in the Far East being now being so under pressure.

So we ordered during January and February for what we projected we’d need this autumn and winter.

Unfortunately, due to people being under such pressure and due to price increases on everything we’ve had to increase prices at a time when people have become scared to buy our type of non essential item.

The brands are putting pressure on us and many other companies to take the goods we’ve ordered even though it could drive us into the ground.

I’m at the point where I’m fed up of the fight and the stress, I’m keeping a business going for the benefit of my staff who I feel such responsibility for whilst taking almost nothing for myself in recent months.

I own my own premises with no owings on it, I’m getting to the point where the simple and easy thing to do is to pack in trading and just rent out my site as it’s rental value is quite high as is its sale price.

For the first time in my 25 years of trading I’m at my wits end and struggling to find answers.

In the past I’ve had challenges including Covid but this is at a completely different level for my business and many others.

I’m actually scared for the first time since I started in 1997.

The answer Mick as you are not a spring chicken - sell up and enjoy life! Your staff would show no loyalty to you if offered a much bigger package else where.

I am in the process of selling up and it’s advanced. I want to enjoy life to the maximum and not have the pressure!

If people are worried now - January 2023 will become someone’s worst nightmare! Consumer spending is hugely slowing down and I blame the inept government letting the energy companies cause it