Small businesses plan to raise prices amid inflationary pressures The number of small businesses planning to increase prices to their customers is set to rise dramatically this quarter, according to a new quarterly analysis of small business confidence conducted by Enterprise Nation. The findings show that 52% of businesses said they planned to put up prices, with firms in the North East most at risk of price inflation, with 65% saying they planned to raise prices in the second quarter of the year. General retail, fashion, and food and drink sectors are the most likely to increase prices. The cost-of-living crisis is now considered the biggest challenge small business owners have ever faced, rising by eight percentage points to 41%. Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation, said: "Small businesses have been holding back since energy costs started to bite last year. Now the competing pressures of inflation, energy and staff costs have proved too much, and they have had to make the difficult decision to increase prices."