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Publication - Statistics

Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 150): 26 February 2026

Published
26 February 2026
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy

Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 2 February to 15 February 2026 (Wave 150). The BICS provides statistics on how current conditions are affecting businesses in Scotland, including impact on financial performance, workforce, trade and resilience.

Part of

Supporting documents

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 February 2026 (Wave 150) businesses were asked about prices in the month of January 2026. Prior to Wave 55 (19 April to 1 May 2022), ‘Currently Trading’ businesses were asked how prices compare to normal price fluctuations.

Figure 2: 24.4% of businesses saw an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in January 2026 compared with December 2025, and 11.3% 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 50 (7 February to 20 February 2022) to 150 (2 February to 15 February 2026).

A line chart showing that for an estimated 24.4% of businesses the prices of goods or services bought in January 2026 had increased compared with December 2025. An estimated 11.3% of businesses had increased the prices of goods or services they sold in January 2026.

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 150 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 February 2026, businesses were asked what their expectations were for the prices of goods or services sold in March 2026. An estimated 18.3% of businesses were expecting to increase prices in March 2026; lower than the share expecting to increase prices in the previous month (21.3%).

Figure 3: Labour costs was the top factor reported by businesses for considering price increases (36.5%).

Estimated share of businesses by factors causing business to consider raising prices in March 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 150 (2 February to 15 February 2026).

A bar chart showing that the top factor reported by businesses for considering price increases for March 2026 was labour costs (36.5%). Energy prices (21.2%) and raw material prices (17.5%) were the next most common factors.

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 150 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

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