by Tom Walsh
The UK caravan industry is optimistic about the year ahead, according to a new report which shows a marginal 0.1% fall in sales for 2013.
Glass’s Guide noted that many companies are looking forward to a prosperous 2014 model year but is under no illusions that there could be hurdles to overcome during the next 12 months.
Firms have reported healthy order books from the October Motorhome and Caravan Show where the 2014 models were first on display, attracted record audiences and leading to a 0.1% year-on-year sales boost for the final three months of 2013.
Glass’s Guide hopes that this trend continues at the Glasgow Caravan Show (7-10 February) and the Caravan and Camping show at Birmingham’s NEC (18-23 February).
Randal Thomas, chief editor of Leisure Vehicles and author of the report, wrote: “Ultimately it will be retail activity at sites right around the country, not just at shows, which defines whether this is judged to be a good, fair or bad trading year.”
The good feeling has been slightly hampered by the adverse weather conditions that have swept over the country in the opening part of the year with parts of Somerset cut off due to flooding.
