Nearly half of small and medium sized businesses grew sales over the past year as they continue to recover after the pandemic, a new government survey of business owners has found.
However, rising costs and inflationary pressures, as well as ongoing staff shortages, threaten to put the brakes on growth for the year ahead.
The Department for Business and Trade’s annual survey of small businesses found that just over a third of company owners expect an increase in sales in the next 12 months, compared with nearly half a year ago.
The longer term picture is more rosy, with nearly three quarters of business owners aiming to increase sales over the next three years. But of those targeting growth, more than half say their plans
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