Business

Business confidence in Scotland rose two points during May to 50%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own trading outlook month-on-month, up nine points at 62%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy

Scottish businesses are demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism, outpacing the rest of the UK in commercial confidence despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. According to Barclays’ Q1 2026 Business Prosperity Index, 85% of Scottish firms are confident about their five-year prospe

More than half of Scottish businesses say a combination of supply chain pressures and higher energy and fuel costs are among their biggest challenges as they grapple with the impact of conflict in the Middle East, according to new research from accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP. The bi-monthly s

Scotland's mid-sized businesses could add over £500 million to annual economic output if they were able to make key decisions more quickly, according to FRP Advisory. The findings form part of FRP's Decision Economy report, produced in partnership with Development Economics, which examines the

Scottish jam and marmalade maker Mackays has narrowed its annual losses, with the Arbroath-based business reporting a pre-tax loss of £958,455 for the year ended 31 December 2025, compared to a restated loss of £1.22 million in the prior year – a reduction of around 22%. Turnover r

Scottish business confidence experienced a three-point dip in April, falling to 48%, according to the latest Bank of Scotland Business Barometer. The decline was driven by a ten-point drop in firms' outlook for their own trading prospects, which now stands at 53%, though a four-point rise in general

Scottish Bakers has launched its Bakery Category Insight Reports 2026 in collaboration with global bakery supplier Dawn Foods, revealing that Scotland's combined sweet and savoury bakery market is now worth more than £1.45 billion. The data-led resource draws on consumer panel data from NIQ, c

The percentage of small businesses in Scotland predicting growth for the next three months (22%) has remained largely unchanged on last quarter (23%), according to Novuna Business Finance. Whilst historically, the spring months each year usually offer a seasonal boost to small business growth foreca

Bad debt and late payment are hammering Scottish SMEs' cashflow and profitability, according to new data from Bibby Financial Services (BFS). BFS’s latest SME Confidence Tracker revealed that 39% of Scottish SMEs, equating to around 139,000 businesses, experienced bad debt in the past 12 month

Scottish all trades insurance reinstatement company Insurepair is expanding into Spain as part of a major international growth plan. The new division of the Edinburgh-based firm will be called Insurepair Spain and will initially support the thousands of UK property owners, landlords and property man

Almost half (49%) of the 55 profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in Q1 2026 cited the impact of policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a leading factor, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. This marked the highest quarterly proportion recorded for this cau

A second month of employment growth offered some positivity during a modest month of business activity in March in Scotland. Despite increased staffing costs, businesses across all sectors reported an upshift in recruitment as Q1 2026 came to an end.

A pioneering Scottish dairy has secured a major London distribution deal as demand grows for less processed alternatives to raw milk.

Automotive retailer Vertu has expanded its relationship with Chinese car brand Geely Auto with the opening of a second dealership within Glasgow. Geely Glasgow Central will operate from Vertu’s iconic site on Port Dundas Road, recognisable to tens of thousands of motorists who pass by the deal

Rising costs, late payment problems and concerns over supply chain resilience are creating a gloomy outlook for the UK’s vital small and medium sized enterprises. That is according to the latest ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS), which shows UK SME confidence is stuck near