Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 158): 25 June 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: For an estimated 31.1% of businesses the prices of goods or services bought in May 2026 increased compared with April 2026, and 12.6% 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 55 (19 April to 1 May 2022) to 158 (1 June to 14 June 2026).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 158 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 2 data see tables ‘PricesBoughtChange’ and ‘PricesSoldChange’.

In June 2026, businesses were asked what their expectations were for the prices of goods or services sold in July 2026. An estimated 16.3% of businesses were expecting to increase prices in July 2026; lower than the share expecting to increase prices in June 2026 (21.3%), but in line with the proportion that were expecting to increase prices in July 2025 (15.6%).

Figure 3: Labour costs and energy prices were the top factors reported by businesses for considering price increases, reported by 32.3% and 29.0% of businesses, respectively.

Estimated share of businesses by factors causing business to consider raising prices in July 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 158 (1 June to 14 June 2026).

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 158 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 3 data see table ‘PriceFactors’.