Fuel costs top constraint for small businesses in September

Fuel costs are the top cost constraint facing small businesses, according to September 2026 results, with 62% of small and medium-sized businesses identifying fuel as a major constraint on growth.

Product input and raw material costs are each cited by 42% of SMEs as major constraints, while shipping and receiving costs are also a concern for about half of small firms.

The September results also show a significant decline in small business optimism over both the short and long term.

Current business health also weakened, while businesses' planned price increases rose to 3.3%.

The findings point to continued pressure on small businesses from operating and input costs, with fuel emerging as the most commonly reported constraint on growth.