Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 154): 30 April 2026

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.

Figure 2: An estimated 39.0% of businesses saw an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in March 2026 compared with the previous month, which was up on February 2026 (24.2%), but in line with March 2025 (37.2%).

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 55 (19 April to 1 May 2022) to 154 (6 April to 19 April 2026).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 154 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 2 data see tables ‘PricesBoughtChange’ and ‘PricesSoldChange’.

In April 2026, businesses were asked what their expectations were for the prices of goods or services sold in May 2026. An estimated 35.4% of businesses were expecting to increase prices in May 2026; higher than the share expecting to increase prices in April 2026 (30.5%), but lower than the proportion that were expecting to increase prices in May 2025 (40.3%).

Figure 3: Labour costs and energy prices were the top factors reported by businesses for considering price increases, reported by 40.5% and 38.7% of businesses, respectively.

Estimated share of businesses by factors causing business to consider raising prices in May 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 154 (6 April to 19 April 2026).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 154 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘PriceFactors’.