Entrepreneurial Exodus: Record Rise in Business Sales

Business Owners Are Switching Gears: A Surprising Surge in Selling and Scaling

Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management’s latest study shows that the rhythm of entrepreneurship is shifting. A solid 30% of SME owners now want to sell part or all of their business within the next two years—down from the 20% recorded just a year ago.

Full Exit: Going Coast‑to‑Coast

Full sell‑off (7%) – The biggest pull‑cards are chasing fresh adventures (43%), health and personal matters (also 43%), or simply seizing an irresistible offer (29%).
In contrast, last year’s main motivators were retirement and a lack of family heirs.

Partial Exit: Picking Up a Piece of the Puzzle

Part sale (23%) – Motivated by the same drivers as full exits—pursuing other interests, health issues, and rising operational expenses (all at 48%).
About 30% are looking to free up cash for new ventures, a number that jumped from 40% last year.
Cost‑of‑living pressures also saw a spike.

Downsizing: Taking a Step Back

Downsize (15%) – Almost three‑quarters (73%) cite performance hiccups as the prime reason.
Last year, 11% were eyeing downsizing with cost‑raising as the main factor (25%).

Optimistic Outlook Amid Uncertainty

Despite the bumps on the road, a healthy 34% of owners plan to grow their operations in the next two years. That’s a burst of optimism no one expected.

Conversely, only 21% are doing nothing—a sharp decline from 52% last year—hinting that the market’s current mood is pushing many to rethink their game plan.

Expert Insight

Christine Ross, Head of Private Office (North) and Client Director at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, shared her take:

“With the looming tax shakes hinted at the upcoming Autumn Budget, many business owners are re‑examining their options. It’s encouraging that over a third are set to double down on growth, but we can expect more selling and downsizing in the near future. Early planning, coupled with professional guidance, is key to navigating these transitions smoothly.”