British Business Bullish On Growth

Business leaders are confident about both domestic and international growth, despite supply chain disruption and the lingering threat of Covid-19, according to new research from HSBC.

The survey, which polled business decision-makers in the UK, found that a significant 80% of businesses are expecting growth of at least 10% in the next 12 months.

Over half of UK businesses are also more optimistic about growth (53%) than they were 12 months ago (27%) and optimism is above pre-pandemic levels (2019: 51%). Despite concerns about rising inflation (34%), further covid-19 outbreaks (34%) and ongoing supply chain disruption (31%).

Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

A quarter of UK businesses have said that they have already returned to pre-pandemic levels of profitability or will have done by the end of the year and a further 30% expect to do so by the end of 2022.

With businesses still reeling from a turbulent 18 months, unsurprisingly leaders are still focused on managing costs (33%), revenue growth (32%) and expanding their product offering (27%).

International expansion key growth driver

With growth firmly on the agenda, the vast majority (79%) of businesses view expanding into new markets as a key growth driver for 2022, despite over half (61%) recognising that international trade will become more challenging in the next twelve months.

Supply chains pose short term challenge

Nearly three quarters of businesses (73%) are expecting there to be ongoing supply chain issues in 2022. With key concerns being increasing cost (70%), significant delays in the movement of goods and services in the supply chain (70%) and the lack of availability of raw materials in the supply chain (63%).

Nearly half (45%) of businesses have mitigated the risk by increasing the number of suppliers they are working with and a quarter have increased the number of suppliers they are working with internationally.

Businesses continue to focus on sustainability in their supply chain with over three quarter (77%) prioritising suppliers based on their sustainability practices rather than their operational resilience and ability to deliver quickly.