Will the economy get worse or maybe a little better? Will consumers keep spending? From Entrepreneur.com, here are some big-picture business trends to keep in mind for the coming year.
Winter Sales Slump?More than 40% of consumers said they overspent on the holidays according to a recent survey. As a result, sales in January and February may be more slow than usual.
Ever-shifting MarketsThe small business climate is characterized by high fluctuations based on the seasons, unpredictable weather patterns and innovation. Be nimble and stay connected to your community.
Rising PricesDiscount-deal site Dealnews predicts that airfare, digital cameras, hard drives, desktop computers and groceries will top the list of goods that will see spiking prices.
Sluggish Venture-Capital MarketsIPOs in 2011 were down by 30% from 2010. Still, more IPOs are in the pipeline for 2012.
The Urge to MergeSell or grow through acquisition? The U.S. saw $821 billion in mergers and acquisitions in 2011. Consolidation will continue throughout the business world.
Election-Year UncertaintyBusinesses may be stalled by policy uncertainty as lawmakers either stagnate or pass laws just to appease constituents and win reelection.
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