GC Business Survey

Latest report: 02 August 2025

The full GC Situation Report contains detailed data on the economy, and results of the GC Survey and Business Confidence Index. It also provides headline data for local authorities in Greater Manchester.

Download the latest full GC Situation Report here.

Download the report infographic here.

GC SITUATION REPORT AND BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS

The GC Business Confidence Index (7.2) remained stable in July 2025, with confidence highest in BFPS, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, DCTs, Hospitality, and Retail, and lower in Green-Tech, Health & Social Care, Life Sciences, Education, and Logistics. Sales performance was unchanged, with 15% of firms reporting increases and 57% expecting profit growth, particularly in BFPS, DCTs, Hospitality, Retail, Green-Tech, and Other Services. Lower future profit sentiment was seen in Manufacturing & Engineering, Education, Health & Social Care, and Construction.

Capital investment expectations stayed at 30%, led by DCTs, Engineering, Green-Tech, Health Care, and Hospitality, with lowest expectations in Retail and Manufacturing. Cashflow issues were reported by 12% of firms, more common in micro businesses, especially in DCTs, Green-Tech, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Logistics. Most firms (59%) have cash reserves exceeding six months, though reserves are lower in Health Care, Manufacturing, Green-Tech, and DCTs. Exports were reported by 22% of firms, with 15% entering new markets, especially in DCTs, Engineering, Green-Tech, and Manufacturing.

Recruitment activity increased to 27%, driven by larger SMEs and sectors such as BFPS, Green-Tech, and Retail, while DCTs, Life Sciences, Hospitality,
and Engineering were less active. Firms highlighted ongoing support needs in business planning (35%), sales & marketing (33%), innovation (31%),
workforce development (30%), and financial advice (22%).

43% have adopted AI into business which increased by 2%. Firms were most likely to have implemented AI into data analytics, whilst replacing admin
tasks, sales and marketing systems, and for automating production processes.

Key Findings

GC Business Confidence Index (GC-BCI) for July 2025 stood at 7.2 out of 10, the same as last quarter. Confidence levels are above average for Business Financial & Professional Services, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, DCTs, Hospitality, and Retail; and lower-than-average
confidence was reported in Green-Tech, Health & Social Care, Life Sciences, Education, and Logistics. The latest confidence figures show increasing levels of uncertainty (a rising proportion of lower score ratings) in Green-Tech and Health & Social Care.

Sales and Profits:15% (unchanged) of firms reported an increase in sales over the survey period. 57% (vs 58%) expect profits to increase in the year ahead. 2% (unchanged) expect profits to decrease. The sectors most optimistic about future profitability are BFPS, DCTs, Hospitality, Retail, Green Tech and Other Services; and future profit sentiment was lower in Manufacturing & Engineering, Education, Health & Social Care, and Construction.

Investment: 30% (unchanged) of firms expect to increase capital expenditure in the year ahead. DCTs, Engineering, Green tech, Health Care, and Hospitality are most optimistic, and expectations are lowest in Retail, and Manufacturing.

Cashflow Issues & Cash reserves: 12% (vs 11%) of firms reported cashflow problems. Micro-sized firms (<10 employees) were more likely to face cashflow challenges than larger SMEs (50–249+ FTEs), with higher risk reported in DCTs, Green-Tech, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Logistics. 3% (unchanged) of firms reported late payments. 59% of firms (vs 60%) report having cash reserves to last over 6 months. Reserves were highest in the BFPS, Construction, Hospitality, Retail, and Engineering, while Health Care, Manufacturing, Green-Tech, DCTs had the lowest reserves to last over 6 months.

Trade: 22% of firms (vs 24%) export goods or services, with 15% (unchanged) expanding into new markets, a trend particularly notable in the DCTs, Engineering, Green-Tech, Manufacturing. Additionally, 10% (vs 11%) of firms engaged in overseas trade are looking to expand in their current markets.

Future support needs include business planning 35% (vs 34%), sales & marketing 33% (vs 31%), innovation 31% (vs 30%), workforce development 30% (vs 28%) and financial advice 22% (vs 21%).

Recruitment and Skills: 27% (vs 23%) of firms are currently recruiting new staff. Recruitment rates (% recruiting) are higher amongst SMEs (50 – 249 employees). By sector, recruitment is more active in BFPS, Green-Tech, and Retail, whereas DCTs, Life sciences, Hospitality, and Engineering sectors were the least likely to be currently recruiting between May and July.