Insights for businesses

Looking to benchmark your business against others? Interested in finding out how your experiences are measuring up to others just like you?

Our latest research* looks into the priorities and challenges that small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are facing over the next 12 months.

We spoke to 1,000 SME senior decision makers to get their outlook on 2024 and here’s what we discovered…

Top Priorities

Over the next 12 months, the main priorities for SMEs are:

  • Expanding their customer base (42%)
  • Reducing costs (34%)
  • Improving current products and services (29%)

Nearly a quarter of businesses also told us they are focused on sustainability and improving their current products and services (24%).

Making Investments

Businesses have told us that they’ve set their sights on growth this year and  plan to invest in the following areas over the coming months:

  • Building their online presence (29%)
  • New equipment (29%)
  • New technology (29%)

Interestingly, only a small proportion of businesses, 13%, said that they are set to make an investment in green transformation to reach carbon-zero objectives.

Business owners looking at tablet

Financing the future

Looking at the SMEs who told us that they plan to use a financial product or service in order to invest in their business, the product most likely to be accessed is invoice finance, with 73% saying they will look to use this method.

On average, the businesses that plan to invest in the next 12 months are planning to put £195k into growth strategies.

Looking to invest in your business?

Aldermore has a range of finance options for businesses just like yours. Whether you want to fund an asset, unlock cash tied up in invoices or bridge a finance gap, our business financing solutions are designed to help you turn your dreams into reality. You can find out more here.

 

*Source: Research conducted by Opinium on behalf of Aldermore between 24 October – 08 November 2023 of 1,000 SME Senior Decision Makers. 

 

Subject to status and affordability. T&Cs apply. Security may be required. Any property or asset used as security may be at risk if you do not repay any debt secured on it.