For Immediate Release: Castries, St. Lucia, September10, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Chamber BusinessPerformance Survey: Stability and Modest Growth, But Challenges Persist

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present theresults of its Business Performance Survey (Take 14), for the period January –March 2025. The Chamber BPS continues to provide outstanding and valuableinsights into the evolving performance of local business, their outlook,confidence and their perspective on the various policy issues impacting thebusiness environment.

This BPS (Take 14) is most notable as the number ofresponses has more than doubled compared to Take 13 and Take 12. The increasein participation is directly attributable to the support of the Ministry ofCommerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and ConsumerAffairs and other Eco System partners that shared the survey with theirbusiness clients. This broader reach enhances the reliability and credibilityof the findings ensuring that it reflects the widest cross section ofenterprises in St. Lucia.

63% of respondents were Non-Chamber Members, a markedincrease from previous BPS’ where Respondents were primarily Chamber Members.

Sector representation was as follows, 19% from Tourism,Agriculture 11%, Distribution and Financial Services 7% and 25% from otherservices.  Castries (55%) is the regionwhere most respondents have their primary business location, followed by GrosIslet 17% and Vieux Fort at 13%. 78% of respondents employ less than 10 people,with only 8% employing more than 50 employees.

Employment and Recruitment

Employment levels were generally stable with 80% ofrespondents reporting no change in workforce size in Q1 of 2025, with 11%increasing their workforce, 9% reported decreasing the size of the workforce,giving a net movement of +2.

Recruitment activity was also measured with 26% seeking torecruit during Q1. 10% of respondents had difficulty recruiting professionalstaff while 8% had difficulty recruiting skilled manual staff.

Sales Performance

Sales results were mixed during the period under review(Q1). In comparison to Q1 2024 to Q1 2025 33% of respondents reported increasedsales, 38% reported declines and 29% reported sales remaining the same, a netmovement of -5% year on year.

In comparing Q1 2025 to Q4 2024, 34% of respondents reportedincreased sales, 33% reported declines and 32% saw no change, net improvementshows a +1% quarter on quarter.

Cashflow Performance

Cashflow results suggest more balance with 26% of firmsreporting improvements, 39% maintained constant cashflow and 35% experiencingdeclines. A negative net movement of -9%.

Overall Business Performance

When asked to assess overall business performance in 2025,41% of respondents reported better business performance, with 36% reportingbusiness not doing as well in 2025 and 23% stating it was the same whencompared to the previous year 2024.

The Chamber is pleased that the various MSME andEntrepreneurship Ecosystem Partners have supported the distribution of the BPSand enhanced and enriched the depth and quality of the BPS. Full copies of thesurvey are available from the Chamber Website at www.stluciachamber.org and from theChamber Officer that can be reached at 7584523165.  

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agricultureis pleased to release the results of its Business Performance Survey (Take 14)that reviewed Business Performance for the first Quarter of 2025 (Q1). The BPSattracted more than double the responses of previous surveys thanks to thesupport of the Ministry of Commerce and other MSME Ecosystem Partners whoshared the BPS with their huge business database. The wider reach enhances thecredibility of findings, offering a more accurate and representative picture ofnational business performance.  

Respondents were drawn from across sectors, includingtourism (19%), agriculture (11%), distribution and financial services (7%) andother services (19%). Most respondents were small firms, with 78% employingless than 10 people, concentrated in Castries (55%), Gros Islet (17%), andVieux Fort (13%).

Employment levels remained broadly stable: 80% reported nochange, 11% expanded and 9% contracted (+2% net movement). Recruitmentchallenges persist especially for professional and skilled manual roles.

Sales results were mixed. Compared to Q1 2024, 33% ofrespondents reported increases, 38% declines and 29% stability, a -5% netmovement year on year. Cashflow weakened, with a –9% net movement, though 41%still described performance as better than last year.

Cost pressures have dominated business concerns, driven byhigher purchase prices (31%), finance costs (15%), raw materials (13%) andother operating expenses (17%)  

Policy optimism was muted: 69% do not expect governmentbudget measures to benefit their businesses. Top concerns include rising inputcosts, inflation, crime infrastructure and human resources.

The Chamber of Commerce stress that addressing thesesystemic issues is critical to shifting from cautious optimism to sustainedgrowth.

For more information contact: Mr. BrianLouisy, Executive Director

---ENDS---

‍