- 13% of small businesses expect the festive period to be busier this year, compared to 23% of large businesses
- 60% of small businesses expect the festive period to be about the same as 2016
- Almost a fifth (16%) of small businesses started preparing for Christmas before August 2017, yet 7% still haven’t sorted their plans for the festive period
Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Royal Mail has found that lower consumer spending (15%) is the biggest challenge that small businesses have faced this year. Small businesses are facing distinctive challenges in the UK, compared to medium and large businesses with only 6% of each citing spending as a challenge.
Brexit (10%) and recruitment (9%) were some of the other key tests faced by small businesses in the last year. Managing change, restructuring and cyber security were not named as challenges by any of the small businesses surveyed.
When it comes to Christmas, 13% of small businesses expect the festive period to be busier this year, compared to 19% of medium and 23% of large businesses. However, it seems that for many it is business as usual with 60% of small businesses expecting the festive period to be the same as last year.
Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, said “Lower consumer spending is a key challenge for small businesses in Britain. It’s important that consumers support local and smaller businesses on Small Business Saturday, over the Christmas period and throughout the year. Small businesses sit at the heart of the UK economy and are integral to the running of our country.”
Source: Royal Mail