All articles tagged with #labor quality
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased slightly in August 2025, driven by improved sales expectations and earnings, despite ongoing labor quality issues and supply chain disruptions. Business health remains strong, with many owners planning to create jobs and raise wages, though inflation and labor shortages continue to be concerns.
Small business owners in the US are feeling pessimistic about the economy due to chronic inflation and a persistent worker shortage, as reflected in the National Federation of Independent Businesses' Small Business Optimism Index. Inflation has surpassed worker quality as the biggest threat to small businesses, with many owners raising prices to offset the impact. The survey comes ahead of the release of new consumer price index data, which is expected to show a continued rise in inflation, posing challenges for small businesses in 2024.