Slackening turnover growth for sector business services

Turnover of the sector business services in the fourth quarter of 2008 was nearly 5 percent higher than one year previously and the smallest growth since the end of 2004. All branches in the sector business services achieved turnover growth except advertising agencies, but the differences between the various branches in the sector were considerable.

With a 10 percent turnover growth, inspection and control performed best in the fourth quarter. Architectural and engineering firms realised a turnover growth of more than 8 percent. The downward trend for temp agencies continued. Turnover growth dropped off to 4 percent in the fourth quarter, as against a growth by nearly 13 percent in the first quarter of 2008. For the second quarter running, the number of hours worked in temp jobs was lower than one year previously, but the amount of secondment hours increased further in the fourth quarter. Turnover of advertising agencies shrank by nearly 4 percent. Due to the current recession, the private sector tends to cut down on advertising.

Turnover providers of business services, 4th quarter of 2008