According to the National Federation of Independent Business, supply chain and inflation issues stood out as a key problem in the report.
14% of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business (higher input costs), up 3 points from August.
In September, 64% of small business owners reported that supply chain disruptions were affecting their business to some degree, up 10 points from August.
The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose 3 points from August to a net 24% (seasonally adjusted). A net 31% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices over the next three months, up 5 points from August.
One bright spot was actual earnings changes (the net percent of owners reporting higher vs. lower profits), which increased three points in September, up to its highest level since December 2021.
