The Sleepless Puzzle of Small Businesses
Did you know that a whopping 75 % of small‑biz owners are tossing and turning at night? Market volatility has been the nightmare fuel for the past two years straight.
Current Wave of Anxiety
- 35 % of owners are worried about market swings in Q1 ’24 (a tad lower than Q1 ’22’s peak).
- That’s still almost double the shake‑up level from eight years ago (18 % in Q1 2015).
Even though inflation sits at 4 % this February, the after‑effects of rates climbing to 11.1 % over the past 18 months keep the mood grim for many owners.
Worries on the Rise
- Interest‑rate anxieties jumped from 16 % to 21 % over eight years – now sitting at 22 % last year.
- Cash‑flow headaches climbed from 19 % to 21 % – now a top‑3 concern.
- Retention worries ticked up to 22 % (from 21 % a year ago).
Sector‑by‑Sector Glimpse
- Construction & Real Estate: 84 % & 87 % are stressed – highest since records began.
- Hospitality & Retail: 56 % & 61 % feel the market jitter; 44 % of hospitality firms fret over rates.
- Brexit chatter is down to 12 % – but still a worry for 30 % of retail and 26 % of IT.
- COVID‑19 worries plummeted to 6 % overall, though 22 % in hospitality still feel the sting.
Where the Fever Is Hotter
- Yorkshire & Humber: fear up to 82 % (from 77 % in 2022).
- Wales: anxiety climbed to 78 % (up from 72 %).
Joanna Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna, hypes it up:
“Small business owners might feel a little lighter with inflation easing, but the echo of sky‑high rates and 18 months of market roller‑coasters still rattles their plans.”
“Think of them as the economy’s backbone, juggling rising costs and ever‑shifting markets – forecasting is a nightmare.”
“They’re begging for calm, predictability, and a dash of certainty. Yet, with three‑quarters still up at night, stability feels like a distant dream.”
“This data reminds us: resilience and adaptability are the secret sauce. It also signals that a partnership with firms like Novuna can turn chaos into opportunity.”
Subscribe now to get real‑time updates straight to your device!
