US DATA: Sources pointing out an Office Depot survey had a poor
outlook for small business – their Small Business Index polled Jul 13-20
“found that only 42 percent of small business owners expect economic
improvement over the next six months. This is down from an October high
when 58 percent of small businesses expected economic improvement over
the coming six months. In addition, 66 percent of the SMBs surveyed
indicated that the economic slump has impacted their business, with 37
percent of respondents saying that business has been either “much worse”
or “a little worse.” In fact, 79 percent of businesses surveyed do not
plan to hire or add to their staff.” See http://mediarelations.officedep
ot.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=140162&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1599219&highlight=