SURVEY: Small businesses expect a recession, but few are prepared

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Oct 20, 2022, 09:00 ET

As majority of owners look to cut costs, roughly half are considering axing insurance – a dangerous business move

Highlights:

According to the latest Nationwide Agency Forward survey, 70% of small business owners expect a recession within the next 6 months, but significantly fewer feel prepared to weather it.
More than half are considering where they can cut costs – some business owners are contemplating changes that could impact the jobs market.
A risky business play, about half of business owners surveyed said they would consider decreasing current insurance coverage to reduce operational expenses.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In two years, small businesses have weathered a global pandemic, a supply chain crisis, labor shortages and increasing costs forced by inflation. A recent Agency Forward survey from Nationwide reveals that few see relief in the near term and are taking alarming measures to protect their business as they anticipate a recession in the coming months.

Current economic environment is taking a toll on America's small businesses

Only 27% of small business owners say current business conditions are strong in the US, and just over a third feel similarly about their own region or city (36%). Their outlook for the future is even more grim with 70% of small businesses anticipating a recession in the next six months, but only 37% feeling ready for it.

The survey also shed light on how business owners have been recently affected by economic instability:

6 in 10 small business owners say inflation and rising costs have negatively impacted them.
35% say they have been negatively impacted by interest rate hikes.
Almost 4 in 10 (39%) say their business revenue has decreased over the past six months, with most declines being as high as 30%.

Small business owners are looking for creative ways to protect themselves from economic instability

Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) business owners have explored areas to cut expenses within the last six months. Some of the more drastic measures include 38% of business owners using personal savings to support their business while 22% have canceled/postponed a major business investment. Perhaps the most alarming are the cuts that could impact the jobs market – some owners either have already or plan to pause hiring (38%), or furlough workers/reduce hours (23%) as they prepare for tougher times ahead. Only 14% plan to hire new employees. Additionally, about 4 in 10 say they are not planning to offer raises (42%) or bonuses (41%) to their employees this year.

"Small businesses are struggling to maintain operations under current inflation and labor market trends," said Eric Coleman, SVP of Small Business Insurance at Nationwide. "Getting back on track isn't going to be easy if their predictions of a recession play out. What would be worse though is if, in an effort to cut costs, owners ended up putting their business at risk in the long term."

Insurance policies may look like easy savings, but policy changes can come with long-term effects

Small business owners are reconsidering their insurance policies as a way to manage expenses ahead of anticipated economic gloom with 84% saying they have reviewed or plan to review their insurance policies soon. As they look to reduce operational costs, 51% of business owners say they would be likely to decrease their business's current insurance coverage or limits to cut back on spending if a recession occurs. This may be because 52% expect their premiums to increase over the next six months.

"With so many small business owners considering changes to their insurance, it is startling that only 29% of owners have connected with their agent to discuss their policies, especially as inflation and supply chain issues continue to drive up repair costs and timelines," said Coleman. "In those conversations, business owners should ask about and consider how lack of coverage or appropriate limits could impact their operations in the future. Making decisions and updates without speaking to an agent could counter cost-saving attempts."

Survey Methodology:

Nationwide partnered with Edelman Data & Intelligence to conduct a 15-minute national online survey of 401 small business owners, defined as sole or part owners of companies with 1-50 employees and less than $10 million in annual revenue. The survey was fielded from September 6-19, 2022. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association as well as ESOMAR Edelman Data & Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws as well as in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and EFTs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow the firm on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Lyndsey Kleven
614-507-0485
[email protected]

SOURCE Nationwide