70% of businesses expect price rises in 2026 – how to plan strategically

If your costs are rising faster than your margins, pricing decisions can feel uncomfortable — but unavoidable. Many business owners are now reaching the point where holding prices steady is no longer realistic.

Our March 2026 Business Confidence Survey found that 70.6% of businesses expect to increase prices over the next three months. This reflects sustained pressure from rising employment costs, higher tax and operating expenses, and ongoing supply chain disruption.

Why price rises are becoming more common

For many businesses, price increases aren’t about growth — they’re about protection. Protecting margins, protecting cashflow and protecting the ability to continue investing in people and services.

Where costs continue to rise, absorbing them indefinitely can weaken a business over time. That’s why more owners are reviewing pricing with a sharper focus than before.

Pricing as a strategic decision

Price rises are often viewed as reactive, but the most resilient businesses treat pricing as a strategic decision. That means:

• understanding how sensitive your customers are to price changes
• reviewing your product and service mix
• communicating changes clearly and early
• ensuring pricing reflects the value you deliver

In our survey, 15.1% of respondents highlighted market analysis as a key support need, underlining how important insight and data have become when making pricing decisions.

Avoid common pitfalls

Unplanned or poorly communicated price increases can damage trust and competitiveness. Planned changes, supported by data and a clear narrative, are far more likely to be accepted and sustained.

Taking time to model different scenarios before making changes can help avoid reactive decisions later.

Pricing decisions increasingly sit at the intersection of tax, cash flow and long-term profitability. By combining financial forecasting, market insight and tax planning, you can make informed pricing decisions that support both competitiveness and sustainability.