Solihull businesses urged to have their say in latest Chamber QBR
Businesses across Solihull are being encouraged to take part in the latest Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Quarterly Business Report (QBR) and share their experiences of the current trading environment.
The quarterly survey provides an insight into business confidence and the challenges and opportunities facing firms across the region, covering areas including sales, recruitment, investment and the costs affecting businesses.
For Solihull, the latest survey follows a mixed picture in the Q2 results, which highlighted areas of resilience alongside continued pressures for local businesses.
Domestic sales appeared more resilient in Solihull than across Greater Birmingham, with 10 per cent of Solihull businesses reporting a decrease in domestic sales over the previous three months, compared with 20 per cent across the wider region.
Recruitment difficulties were also less widely reported among Solihull businesses, at 42 per cent compared with 51 per cent across Greater Birmingham.
However, businesses continue to face significant cost pressures. More than four-fifths (81 per cent) of Solihull businesses reported pressure to increase prices because of labour costs, while fuel and utilities were also identified as major pressures, at 58 per cent and 53 per cent respectively.
Inflation remained the biggest concern for Solihull businesses, reported by 67 per cent of respondents, followed by taxation at 50 per cent and interest rates at 48 per cent.
Samantha Frampton, (pictured) head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, said the QBR was an important opportunity for businesses to ensure their experiences were represented in the wider regional picture.
She added: “The GBCC Quarterly Business Report is an important opportunity for Solihull businesses to make sure their voice is heard and that the challenges and opportunities facing our local business community are reflected in the wider regional picture.
“These results demonstrate exactly why taking part in the Q3 survey matters. The more Solihull businesses that respond, the clearer the picture we can build of what businesses are experiencing on the ground.
“That evidence helps the Chamber understand the issues that matter most to our members and strengthens our collective voice when engaging with local, regional and national decision-makers.”
The Q3 survey will help build on the findings from the previous quarter and provide an updated picture of how businesses across Solihull are performing.
Sam Frampton said: “I’d encourage every Solihull business to take a few minutes to complete the Q3 survey. Your experience matters, and by sharing it, you’re helping ensure that the voice of Solihull business is heard.”
Businesses across Solihull are encouraged to complete the Q3 QBR survey and share their views.
