Publication - Statistics
Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 148): 29 January 2026
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 5 January to 18 January 2026 (Wave 148). The BICS provides statistics on how current conditions are affecting businesses in Scotland, including impact on financial performance, workforce, trade and resilience.
Key points for businesses with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland:
- the top concern for businesses for February 2026 was falling demand of goods and services (16.5%); although an estimated 14.9% of businesses had no concerns
- for an estimated 18.9% of businesses the prices of goods or services bought in December 2025 increased compared with November 2025, and 8.5% increased the prices of goods and services they sold
- an estimated 21.3% of businesses were expecting to increase the prices of goods or services sold in February 2026; labour costs was the top factor for businesses considering price increases (reported by 40.0%)
- between November 2025 and December 2025, turnover decreased for an estimated 27.7% of businesses and increased for an estimated 26.0%
- in January 2026, an estimated 31.4% of businesses expected their business performance to increase over the next 12 months and an estimated 8.0% expected it to decrease
Note that the next BICS Scotland publication, with data to Wave 149, is scheduled for release on Thursday 12 February 2026.
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