> ERA Quick Connections — September 2024, Vol. 2
September 2024, Volume 2
MONTHLY POS REPORTS
July 2024 dipped just slightly from previous months and is about the same as February numbers. When comparing July 2024 to July 2023, 2024 is better than last year. However, we continue to see sluggish POS activity for the year, which is running about 4 percent behind last year. There were a couple of months last year that were significantly up, but this year there is little difference month over month. As previously stated, the month of March is always very strong; however, the other six months are running similar in POS activity.
Overall, POS activity is basically flat for the year, with no significant gains or losses at this time. We continue to believe that the balance of the year will be more of the same. Election years are often volatile but 2024 POS activity is remarkably consistent.
See the full POS report from BuddeMarketing.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS
> The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it had finalized a $123 million grant for Polar Semiconductor to expand its plant in Minnesota, which would allow the company to nearly double its U.S. production capacity of power and sensor chips. Read more.
> The Fed cut interest rates by a half of a point last week. What could this potentially mean for small businesses? Read more.
> Giving negative feedback to an employee is a challenging part of a manager’s job sometimes. Here are three tips to help this process go smoothly. Read more.
INDUSTRY TRENDS SURVEY
The September ERA Electronics Components Industry Trends survey is now closed!
View Monthly Survey Results (available to ERA members only)
Please note: ERA sends this survey monthly to one contact from each ERA member firm via email. Please be on the lookout for this survey in your email inbox. Help us make this survey a valuable resource for you and the rest of our members by taking 5 minutes to complete this each month. The results are visible only to ERA members and gives us a great cross-section of what our members see on the horizon for the near and long term.
VIEW SURVEY RESULTS
ERA NEWS
> ERA proudly introduces “Why Choose a Manufacturers’ Representative?” — a new video resource that promotes the five key advantages that manufacturers’ reps provide to a principal. We encourage our members to share this video with your principals and customers, or even embed the video in your own website!
> Don’t forget to secure your spot at the 2025 ERA Conference! Attendee and sponsor registrations are now open! The event is at almost 50 percent capacity, and we anticipate another sell-out in 2025. If you want to attend or sponsor, do not wait! Register today and view sponsorship opportunities.
> Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 4 PM ET for the next ERA LIVE, featuring a session on leveling up your digital marketing strategy! Presenters Emma Gaedeke and Danielle Gaglioti from G&G Creative Services will present on modernizing your firm’s website, creating a multi-channel strategy, measuring digital marketing ROI, digital ads and more! No registration necessary. View more details and log-in information.
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