#small-business-growth

#small-business-growth

About 1,500 new indie bookstores have opened over the past five years, more than 400 in 2025 alone. In a recent ABA survey, 73% of its members said their sales increased in 2025. Independent bookstores are 'resilient and a great example of the innovation, flexibility, and passion that is evident in many small businesses,' said Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association.

A business administration course forces you to understand how these areas connect. You stop seeing problems as random headaches and start seeing patterns. The marketing issue is actually a sales process issue. The staffing problem is actually a leadership issue. The cashflow problem is actually a pricing and forecasting issue.

Under current rules, once a business exceeds £90,000 in taxable turnover, it must register for VAT and charge 20 per cent on most goods and services. Registration also brings quarterly reporting requirements and compliance costs, often requiring specialist accounting support.

New data from Novuna Business Finance reveals the first green shoots of a potentially new upward trend in small business growth forecasts. Following a worrying 18-month period since mid-2024, when the percentage of small businesses predicting growth fell for five-consecutive quarters - to a five-year low of 25% - January 2026 sees an upturn, with 27% of enterprises predicting growth for the first three-months of 2026.

Davidson, a professional photographer and owner of Glasgow-based Studio Snap, is celebrating his strongest trading year to date, with revenues up more than 70 per cent in 2025. The surge follows his memorable appearance on series two of The Traitors, which turned him into a familiar face for millions of viewers, and, unexpectedly, a powerful brand amplifier for his business.

"That environment teaches you fast," Jesse says. "You learn that excuses don't milk cows. Solutions do."

As UK small businesses gear up for a new year of trading, research from Novuna Business Finance reveals a five-year peak in percentage of small business owners (84%) that are starting 2026 with plans to invest in new growth initiatives in order to make their enterprises stronger for the year ahead - and that growth agenda is being driven from the Capital

"I was always fascinated by how lighting could change a space. It's like painting with light," Casella says.

Concern over the potential of artificial intelligence replacing employees remains high as the number of work tasks the tools can tackle grows. But the technology now plays a large role in boosting employment, too. A new report by job site LinkedIn shows how AI does that by fueling small business growth, and enabling a rising number of aspiring entrepreneurs to strike out their ow

Confidence is at its most fragile, businesses are holding back, investors are cautious, and families are tightening their belts. I've spent the past two decades building businesses from the ground up. No silver spoon, no safety net - just resilience, risk and relentless hard work. That's the story of thousands of entrepreneurs across this country. We're not asking for handouts, just a fair playing field and a government that trusts us to build.

You can never have too many cookies - or too much kitchen space.

Fast, free delivery is now common for consumers, with at least 35% of orders anticipated to arrive within 24 hours during the holiday shopping season.

The British Business Bank's total financial capacity will be increased to £25.6bn, enabling a two-thirds increase in investments to around £2.5bn each year.

"All of a sudden, millions of individual creators who were intimidated by advertising can start small and grow," Kayye said.

Barrow-in-Furness has emerged as the North's small business hotspot with its microbusiness density score growing 78% over the past year, supported by £25m Town Deal.

Gone are the days of wearing a college hoodie and snapping a selfie while posing with an acceptance letter.

"Despite challenging trading conditions for small businesses across the UK, the growth in the pet sector is pawsitively encouraging! As many pet owners adjust to new hybrid work schedules, these services have become essential."