BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 118

Latest main findings for businesses with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland

• in October 2024, 25.0% of businesses reported experiencing a shortage of workers
• the industry sector with the highest proportion of businesses reporting a shortage of workers was Accommodation & Food Services (31.9%), followed by Administrative & Support Service Activities (30.1%)
• the main concern for businesses for November 2024 was falling demand of goods and services (16.9%), although 18.5% of businesses had no concerns
• 16.1% of businesses reported that the prices of materials, goods or services bought in September 2024 had increased compared with August 2024; 7.3% reported that the prices of goods and services sold by their business had increased
• 25.0% of businesses reported that their turnover had decreased in September 2024 compared to the previous calendar month, up from 21.5% reporting decreased turnover in August 2024
• in October 2024, 32.1% of businesses thought their performance would increase over the next 12 months and 6.8% expected performance to decrease