Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 146): 19 December 2025
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 1 December to 14 December 2025 (Wave 146). The BICS provides statistics on how current conditions are affecting businesses in Scotland, including impact on financial performance, workforce, trade and resilience.
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 December 2025 (Wave 146) businesses were asked about prices in the month of November 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: 16.5% of businesses saw an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in November 2025 compared with October 2025, and 9.2% 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 44 (15 November to 28 November 2021) to 146 (1 December to 14 December 2025).
Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 146 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.
In December 2025, businesses were asked what their expectations were for the prices of goods or services sold in January 2026. An estimated 22.9% of businesses were expecting to increase prices in January 2026; up from the 9.7% of businesses that were expecting to increase prices in the previous month.
Figure 3: Labour costs was the top factor reported by businesses for considering price increases (40.2%).
Estimated share of businesses by factors causing business to consider raising prices in January 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 146 (1 December to 14 December 2025).
Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 146 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘PriceFactors’.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
email: industrystatistics@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
email: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot