In the month of November, small business optimism rose on future expectations, although owners reported rising costs and the lowest sales seen since July 2020. Filling vacancies remained less of an issue for small business owners than in recent years, with 35 percent reporting openings they were unable to fill, up one point from last month and signaling that small businesses are being… Read more »

In the month of October, small business optimism remained suppressed as nearly a quarter of small business owners reported raising prices while also reporting lower sales over the past three months. Filling vacancies has become less of an issue for small business owners, with 34 percent reporting openings they were unable to fill, down six points and marking the lowest level since January… Read more »

In the month of September, small business owners expressed rising concerns with their future business outlook as well as for the economy at large, with inflation remaining as the most important issue in running their business. Filling vacancies has also been a persistent problem for small business owners across the board, with 40 percent of owners reporting openings they could not fill,… Read more »

In the month of August, small business owners increasingly identified inflation as the single most important problem for them in operating their business, as elevated inflation continues to drive up expenses and lower profitability. In addition to inflation remaining a top problem for small businesses, small business owners have continued to struggle to fill open positions, with 38… Read more »

In the month of July, small business owners continued to identify inflation as the single most important problem for them in operating their business, as elevated inflation continues to increase expenses and lower profitability. In addition to inflation remaining a top problem for small businesses, a persistently strong labor market has continued to make it more difficult for small… Read more »

In the month of June, small business owners continued to identify inflation as the single most important problem for them in operating their business, as upward price pressures continue to increase expenses and lower profitability. In addition to inflation remaining a top problem for small businesses, a persistently strong labor market is making it more difficult for small businesses to… Read more »

In the month of May, inflation continued to be reported as a leading issue for small business owners, as persistently remained above the Federal Reserve’s two percent target while the labor market has continued to outperform expectations, although there are some signs of slowing. Despite the signs of a slowdown in the labor market, more than nine in ten small business owners reported few… Read more »

In the month of April, inflation remained as a leading issue for small business owners, as it has shown to be consistently above the Federal Reserve’s target while the labor market has continued to outperform expectations, driving up the cost of labor. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, released earlier this month, showed the inflation rate is currently sitting at 3.5 percent year over… Read more »

In the month of March, inflation returned as a leading issue for small business owners, as it remains persistently elevated above the Federal Reserve’s target while the labor market has consistently outperformed expectations. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, released earlier this month, showed the inflation rate is currently sitting at 3.2 percent year over year, up from last month… Read more »

In the month of February, inflation and labor quality were both leading issues small business owners face as inflation remains elevated above the Federal Reserve’s target and the labor market has continued to prove resilient. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, released earlier this month, showed the inflation rate is currently sitting at 3.1 percent year over year, down from last month,… Read more »