Russian-Ukrainian conflict: what impact on craft businesses?

Following a survey of craft business leaders this week, the CMA network, a leading partner of craftsmen in all territories, is mobilizing for the 1,8 million craft businesses it supports and works on the rapid implementation of priority aid in order to preserve the economic activity of the sector.

Artisans encounter economic difficulties directly linked to the conflict

In a previous study conducted by the CMA network in January 2022, 28,2% of craft business owners said they had spared no effort to develop and manage their business differently over the past 6 months. Faced with the urgency of the situation, the optimism of craftsmen and the good dynamics of the sector find themselves impacted. The CMA network notes widespread concern.

A new survey, conducted from March 25 to 30, 2022 among craft business leaders, allows CMAs to measure the extent of the impact. The CMA network thus notes that 3 difficulties representative of the national trend stand out:

• The rising cost of energy
• Supply difficulties
• A decline in turnover

11% of business leaders surveyed believe that their business has already been strongly impacted by the conflict. For half of them, they estimate that their activity is impacted by less than 25%. This feedback from the field alerted the CMA network to the need to put in place rapid support measures.

The CMA network also asked craftsmen about the priority aid to be put in place:

• 30% said they needed help to maintain their turnover
• 26% said they needed help with fuel

In response to these concerns, the CMA network is stepping up its efforts to maintain support for the artisanal sector and restore the confidence of artisans. The survey clearly confirms the need to strengthen aid measures for craft businesses.

CMA priorities: reassuring and supporting businesses

While the economic and social resilience plan, presented by the Government on March 16, 2022, displays significant ambitions, it does not yet sufficiently target artisans who are at the heart of the local economy. To cope with the surge in prices, the increase in costs, the drop in margins, cash flow tensions, and above all the lack of visibility, the CMA network has put forward concrete proposals such as:

• the temporary implementation of an energy check (to limit the increase in gas or electricity bills)
• reduction at the pump of 35 cents per liter of diesel
• the non-downgrading by credit insurers of the rating of companies
• the obligation for suppliers to guarantee their price for at least 3 months

The CMA network is there to support artisans in this context. It is mobilizing to inform the 3,1 million workers and preserve the activity of our local economy.

The craftsmen stand in solidarity with their Ukrainian colleagues and aspire to a return to peace as soon as possible. The CMAs stand ready to support Ukrainian workers who will be looking for jobs as soon as the Government has determined the administrative conditions for their recruitment.

For Joël Fourny, President of CMA France: “The predominant feeling among artisans is that of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. To this feeling of solidarity is then added the feeling of concern linked to the economic consequences of this war. 59% of craft business owners consider their activity less than 25% impacted. It is our duty to reassure them and provide them with our support to maintain the good economic dynamics of the sector. »

To inform and support craftsmen, crisis cells have been reactivated in the CMAs, whose contact details are available online at www.crafts.fr.

* Online survey conducted from March 25 to 30, 2022 among artisans.