Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 140): 25 September 2025

Prices

The BICS asks businesses that have not permanently stopped trading (i.e. ‘Currently Trading’ or ‘Paused Trading’) about how the prices of materials, goods and services bought and sold compare with the previous calendar month. Note that in September 2025 (Wave 140) businesses were asked about prices in the month of August 2025. Prior to Wave 55 (19 April to 1 May 2022), ‘Currently Trading’ businesses were asked how prices compare to normal price fluctuations.

Figure 2: 22.0% of businesses saw an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in August 2025 compared with July 2025, 7.6% increased the prices of goods and services they sold.

Estimated share of businesses experiencing increased prices (of goods or services bought or of goods or services sold). Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Applicable waves 38 (23 August to 5 September 2021) to 140 (1 September to 14 September 2025).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 140 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 2 data see tables ‘PricesBoughtChange’ and ‘PricesSoldChange’ for data from Wave 55 onwards, and tables ‘PricesBought’ and ‘PricesSold’ for data prior to Wave 55.

At 22.0%, the share of businesses seeing an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in August 2025 is in line with the share seeing an increase in the previous month (22.1%). Similarly, the share that increased prices of goods or services sold in August 2025 (7.6%) is in line with the share that increased prices sold in July 2025 (7.9%).

In September 2025, businesses were asked what their expectations were for the prices of goods or services sold in October 2025. An estimated 12.6% of businesses were expecting to increase prices in October 2025, down from 15.7% in the previous month.

Figure 3: Labour costs was the top factor reported by businesses for considering price increases (33.8%).

Estimated share of businesses by factors causing business to consider raising prices in October 2025. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 140 (1 September to 14 September 2025).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 140 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘PriceFactors’.