Confidence is up and Buying is Back, Industry Sales Data Indicates

Team Skynamo

08 July 2021

Aggregated monthly sales data from over 600 South African companies reports that 20 business sectors outperformed the pre-Covid first quarter of 2020.

Numerous business sectors saw increased order volumes in the first half of 2021 with larger order values, as consumer confidence grew amidst the pandemic.
Of the 26 sectors monitored, 20 exceeded pre-lockdown average order values in the first three months of 2021
Despite the tough economy, Skynamo saw an overall increase both in the number of orders placed via its platform and in the value size of these orders across its customer base in the first half of 2021.

South African Businesses Show Signs of Sales Recovery: Insights from the Skynamo Industry Thermometer

Cape Town, July 2021 – After the disruption caused by Covid-19, many South African businesses are showing encouraging signs of recovery. According to the Skynamo Industry Thermometer, 26 industry sectors have reported positive sales-revenue trends in the first half of 2021, signaling a return of confidence in the marketplace.

The Skynamo Industry Thermometer is a free, easy-to-access resource that benchmarks industry sales activity and sector health. It provides monthly reports on average order values and volumes collected from over 600 South African manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors using the Skynamo field sales app. The dataset spans from January 2020 to present, offering actionable insights across 26 sectors.

How Covid-19 Impacted South African Businesses

“When Covid-19 hit, there was an immediate reaction that sent businesses and consumers indoors,” says Sam Clarke, CEO of Skynamo. “Buying confidence dropped as companies tried to manage overheads, and order values declined, even though order frequency increased.”

As lockdown levels eased, businesses began adjusting to a new normal, and positive purchasing patterns started to emerge:

Higher-value orders returned across multiple sectors
Order volumes increased steadily
Consumer and business confidence gradually improved

“Tracking these trends is crucial,” Clarke adds. “It shows that the market is recovering and that South African businesses are beginning to thrive again.”

Key Findings from the Skynamo Industry Thermometer

20 of 26 sectors saw an increase in average order value from January to March 2021 compared to the same period in 2020
First-quarter 2021 spend decreased only 12% from pre-pandemic levels
Skynamo observed a growth in both order volume and order value in the first half of 2021 compared to the first half of 2020

These insights highlight the resilience of South African businesses and the importance of tracking field sales performance to make data-driven decisions.

Why the Skynamo Field Sales App Matters

The Skynamo field sales app allows manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors to:

Capture sales orders directly from the field
Access real-time customer, product, and pricing information
Monitor average order value and sales trends
Make informed sales planning decisions

By digitizing field sales processes, businesses can reduce inefficiencies, increase revenue, and gain a competitive edge in a recovering economy.

Make Better Sales Decisions with the Skynamo Industry Thermometer

Free to access, the Skynamo Industry Thermometer provides a clear, month-on-month view of sector health, helping businesses:

Benchmark performance against competitors
Identify emerging trends and buying patterns
Optimize sales strategies and resource allocation

Clarke concludes: “We want to empower South African businesses to make smarter sales decisions and thrive in a post-Covid world. The Industry Thermometer gives actionable insights that help our customers plan, grow, and stay competitive.”

About Skynamo

Established in Stellenbosch in 2012, Skynamo provides mobile sales technology for companies across a broad range of sectors. With nearly 1,000 customers and 10,000 users in Africa, UK & Europe, Middle East, and North America, Skynamo is a South African start-up that has quickly taken its place as a global leader in field sales technology.

Skynamo’s field sales mobile app and cloud-based management software integrates with a wide range of ERP, accounting software and inventory management systems to improve order accuracy and fulfilment. This means field sales reps can submit orders from the field and eliminate admin while on the road, and sales managers are more connected to their rep teams in real-time.

For more information, visit www.skynamo.com

Skynamo was named Sage ISV Partner of the Year for 2019 (Africa & the Middle East).
Skynamo is an Acumatica Certified Application and Customer Verified Application.
The company received $30 million in funding from Five Elms Capital (US) in 2020.