Confidence among UK small business owners remains strong in 2025 despite rising costs and economic uncertainty. Nearly half reported stronger business performance this year compared to the last.
Greggs reported a 6.9% rise in total sales to £1.3 billion in the first half of the year, with like-for-like sales increasing by 2.6%. However, sales momentum sharply declined in June due to record-breaking heat, leading to reduced foot traffic and weaker demand for core products.
Within three months of the costs imposed by last Autumn's Budget kicking in, headline shop prices have returned to inflation for the first time in close to a year.
The recent downturn in manufacturing output appears to have eased, but manufacturers still seem gloomy about their prospects amid rising costs.
