Chamber BPS: Small Businesses Struggling: Sales and Cashflow Under Pressure

Published on October 13, 2025

The latest Business Performance Survey from the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce seem to suggest that small businesses continue to struggle.

For the Small Business Sector respondents who made up (78%) of total respondents to the survey, Sales performance was mixed, with (40%) reporting decreased sales (31%) reporting higher sales, (30%) remaining the same when comparing Q1’ 25 to Q1’ 24, a -9% net movement.

At the same time when comparing Q1’25 with Q4’24 (34%) reported a decrease while (29%) reported an increase in sales resulting in a -5 net movement.

Cashflow also worsened for the Small Business respondents, with (38%) reporting cashflow decreasing and remaining the same while only (23%) reported an improvement a net movement of (-15%). (37%) of respondents also reported that Business was better in 2025 as compared to 2024, an equal percentage (38%) reported business was the same with a minority of respondents (25%) saying business was not doing as well.

Cost pressures also dominated the drivers of higher prices among Small Business respondents, with (33%) citing rising purchase prices, (18%) rising other operational costs, (14%) raw materials, and (13%) citing rising financing costs.

The most pressing concern for the small business sector was Accessing Incentives and Concessions, followed by Crime, then Inflation, next Quality of Infrastructure and then Cost of Inputs. (67%) of the small business respondents also were not very optimistic regarding the budget initiatives positively impacting their business.

The Small Business Sector clearly continues to face challenges and requires some support that will impact on their ability to increase sales, keep costs low and continue to play a strong and positive role in the socio-economic fabric of the country. 

Source Chamber of Commerce Inside Edge Newsletter