Economic Commentary / Customer intelligence – September 2023
Aims
The Economic Commentary / Customer intelligence report provides feedback from businesses over the course of the month.
Methods
The methodology consisted of desk research.
Findings
General sentiment - Despite ongoing challenges with costs, skills and recruitment, businesses still have an appetite to grow. Some businesses report that, post pandemic, turnover is recovering but increased costs means that margins are down on pre-pandemic levels. Debt and equity investment is taking longer and is harder to get as the current economic climate drives lender and investor caution. Equity investors are preferring to concentrate on existing portfolios rather than taking on new early-stage business investments that are seen as riskier.
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