68% of SMEs aim for growth as confidence returns
New research hints at renewed small business confidence since the installation of the new government. The Novuna Business Finance study of 1,000 small business owners and senior management reveals that the proportion of enterprises considering new projects to secure future growth has risen to 68%, after a dip to 66% at the start of the year.
These findings come at a time when 35% of UK small businesses have reported growth for the next three-month period to 30 September – a rise from 30% for the previous quarter. This resurgence of small business confidence is comparable to the start of 2022 – and, in addition to this, the new data suggests a far greater number of enterprises and now considering investing in new initiatives that will deliver a further uptick in growth going into the final quarter of the year.
The tracking study asked a representative sample of small businesses which initiatives they were considering for the months ahead to help them fulfil their potential and achieve business growth.
The increase was partly fuelled by substantial upticks in specific sectors, with the proportion of small businesses considering specific growth initiatives reaching a four-year high in the IT and telecoms (77%) sector. The manufacturing sector stood out with the highest proportion of businesses considering new growth projects over the next three months (81%), up 6% since Q1 this year and broadly aligning with the sector’s position for the last five years. Other significant sectors included: construction (75% – a six-month high); media and marketing (75% – an 18-month high) and transport and distribution (69% – a six-month high).
Specific plans to achieve growth
- Still reeling from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty, small business leaders are prioritising cost control as a vehicle to secure future growth. Keeping fixed costs down remained the top priority for 52% of respondents (a modest decline from 56% at the start of the year), followed by improving cash flow (33%) and enforcing stricter policies on late payments (24%). Additionally, reducing headcount was an important focus for 21% of respondents.
- The proportion of small businesses planning to invest in new equipment reached a four-year high, at 23%. This trend was especially prominent in the manufacturing and construction sectors, both at 27%.
- There was also an increase in the proportion of small businesses looking to hire more people (22%, up from 20% at the start of the year). Hiring was strongest in Yorkshire and the Humber (26%), surpassing London (25%) and the East of England (25%). The finance and accounting (36%), legal (39%), and IT and telecom sectors (33%) led this drive.
- Meanwhile, the proportion of businesses looking to expand into new and overseas markets rose to 22% – a two-and-a-half-year high. This was particularly notable in the manufacturing sector (28%), significantly expanding businesses (43%), and those with high turnover (33% for businesses with a turnover of £10m or more).
Joanna Morris, head of insight at Novuna Business Finance commented: “After a period of suppressed and muted confidence, signs indicate that the tide is turning. Our tracking research this quarter presents a double-positive position. Growth outlook for this quarter is up significantly on previous quarters – and there is also improvement in terms of the number of enterprises also planning ahead, considering new projects today that will deliver growth tomorrow. Small business leaders – not just in individual sectors but across the broader economy – are moving beyond survival mode and strategically positioning themselves for long-term growth. The increase in the number of business leaders planning to invest in new equipment, create jobs, and hire staff reflects this renewed sense of confidence.
“At Novuna Business Finance, we are dedicated to helping businesses harness this resurgence in optimism. We provide flexible, tailored financial solutions to help established small businesses to plan for long-term growth and transformation and – in doing so – to realise their full potential.”
Additional Tables
The initiatives small businesses are considering applying to achieve business growth in the next three months
| Q1 20 | Q3 20 | Q1 21 | Q3 21 | Q1 22 | Q3 22 | Q1 23 | Q3 23 | Q1 24 | Q3 24 | |
| Improving cash flow | 33% | 32% | 30% | 28% | 28% | 30% | 31% | 30% | 32% | 33% |
| Being stricter getting paid on time (from clients) | 27% | 27% | 23% | 24% | 21% | 25% | 24% | 26% | 25% | 24% |
| Keeping fixed costs down | 57% | 61% | 64% | 56% | 55% | 55% | 57% | 58% | 56% | 52% |
| Securing finance to replace vital business assets | 2% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 6% |
| Investing in new equipment | 23% | 15% | 19% | 22% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 23% |
| Streamline supply chain | 9% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 10% |
| Seeking financial funding via partner company other than bank | 8% | 7% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 10% |
| Moving to different location / bigger office | 7% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 7% |
| Expanding into new markets / overseas | 26% | 22% | 19% | 18% | 24% | 19% | 18% | 17% | 19% | 22% |
| Reassessing finance commitments | 16% | 21% | 18% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 12% | 13% | 14% |
| Hiring more people | 24% | 14% | 18% | 28% | 28% | 22% | 20% | 21% | 20% | 22% |
Sectors where there is a year-on-year peak for the percentage of small businesses investing resources into growth initiatives
| Q1 20 | Q3 20 | Q1 21 | Q3 21 | Q1 22 | Q3 22 | Q1 23 | Q3 23 | Q1 24 | Q3 24 | |
| Manufacturing | 80% | 93% | 77% | 78% | 78% | 86% | 86% | 86% | 75% | 81% |
| Construction | 67% | 85% | 57% | 71% | 74% | 66% | 68% | 75% | 69% | 75% |
| IT and Telecoms | 73% | 83% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 70% | 74% | 74% | 73% | 77% |
| Media and Marketing | 77% | 96% | 74% | 76% | 75% | 74% | 83% | 70% | 69% | 75% |
| Transport / distribution | 69% | 83% | 71% | 77% | 72% | 70% | 70% | 69% | 63% | 69% |
