Is it me, or is this string of good news about the economy sounding a little too good to be true? For years we have had pessimism and hype about economic blood bath. But these past few months have seen confidence rise and consumer spending rise with it. It quite refreshing I must say.

Tuesday saw yet more good news as the IMF (International Monetary Fund) upgraded it’s UK growth forecast from 1.9% in 2014 to 2.4%. This rise is the largest of all the major established economies and puts the UK as the fastest growing economy in Europe. Look further afield from the IMF and other financial institutions predict even better figures. Construction figures have been consistently strong of late and look like getting better. What is good from an industry point of view with this sort of recovery is that it is lead by consumer spending.

If there was going to be a type of recovery the double glazing industry wanted it needed to be a spending boom, and it looks like that is what we have got. Consumers with their newfound confidence are starting to let loose with their bank accounts now that the future looks a bit rosier. There will be a very large number of homes out there which have suffered for the past 6 years as the credit crunch forced their owners to stop spending on it until things got better. Well now it’s time for the industry get out there and start capturing that extra business.

There is a risk of course with a consumer spending-led recovery. If there are any more shocks to the economic system in the future, or things seem they might go back downhill, consumers can quite easily put the brakes on their spending again. This would spell bad news for us as an industry and put a serious dampener on festivities.

However I don’t think that will happen. All around the world the major and emerging economies are showing strong signs of growth, including the US, China and India. Even the Eurozone looks like it will grow in 2014 – maybe only by 1% but it’s better than nothing!

On a personal level, we have had a very positive start to 2014. Our target for January has already been surpassed and we’re already working on getting February’s target under our belts as soon as possible. One trait I have spotted so far this year is the quality of leads. The clients we have been seeing are all serious buyers. Last year saw quite a few tyre kickers, testing us out and not really progressing.

I have also been reading positive news from many of you online. I have been sceptical about reading so many positive stories. I doubted many of them during 2008-2012 as these were particularly harsh years and not everyone could have possibly been booming. But I do believe many more of these stories are credible. And if so, FENSA are going to be reporting on some very good figures throughout 2014.

How has your business started 2014? Are the sales figures starting to stack up? Or are times still tough where you are? Please leave all comments in the section below.