INSIGHTS
2020 - 2026
4000+ Decision makers
SMEs, large businesses and corporates
Key trends from this year’s study.
Trend #1
Resilience becomes the focus.
As the “return to normal” narrative fades, businesses are increasingly focused on building resilience and adaptability. Confidence is now being shaped by productivity, demand and smarter use of technology.
Trend breakdown
40% of businesses say conditions are more challenging than last year.
- This reflects a reset from 2025, with fewer businesses relying on post-COVID momentum to drive confidence.
Rather than indicating decline, this marks a shift toward a more realistic operating environment where performance is driven by underlying business fundamentals.
Experience is shaping how businesses respond:
- Businesses with more than 10 years’ tenure and owners aged over 45 are more likely to report reduced optimism (34%).
- Newer businesses and younger owners are more likely to feel optimistic, highlighting different approaches to navigating current conditions.
Trend #2
AI moves into the next phase
As awareness matures, the focus is shifting from interest to execution. Businesses are now looking at capability, talent and practical ways to unlock AI’s potential.
Trend Breakdown
55% of businesses see a role for AI in improving productivity.
- This has stabilised from 2025, signalling a transition from exploration to more considered implementation.
While overall growth has levelled off, adoption remains strongest among larger and higher-turnover businesses, where AI is already being embedded into operations.
The focus is shifting from intent to capability:
- Businesses are more likely than last year to say they are motivated to learn new skills, indicating a growing readiness to act.
- 29% of businesses say they cannot find someone with the right technology skills to support digital upskilling.
Trend #3
Cost pressures are shifting
Cost pressures remain, but where they’re hitting has shifted. Fixed costs like utilities, insurance and leases are becoming more prominent, pushing businesses to rethink how they manage and optimise their cost base.
Trend breakdown
84% of businesses have experienced increased running costs in the past 12 months.
Utilities, insurance and leases are now the largest source of cost increases:
- 57% of businesses cite these as a key driver, up from 47% in 2025, overtaking labour costs (42%).
This reflects a shift toward more fixed, less flexible costs playing a larger role in overall business expenses.
Businesses are taking a more proactive approach to managing costs:
- 56% are planning to increase prices in the next 12 months.
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75% are actively looking at ways to reduce costs, with moving to new suppliers the most common approach (32%).
