We link to the original sources below. Sections labelled “Sandycroft analysis” contain our interpretation and practical suggestions. Product and service links are commercial suggestions from Sandycroft, separate from the source reporting.
SOURCED NEWS SUMMARY
The news
The Office for National Statistics reported on 22 October that 33% of trading businesses saw an increase in the prices of goods and services bought during September 2026, while 12% reported an increase in the prices they sold. For November, 17% expected to raise selling prices; energy was the most commonly reported factor behind considering an increase, cited by 32% of those businesses.
The survey also found 17% of trading businesses reported higher turnover in September than in August. Looking ahead to November, 15% expected turnover to rise and 17% expected it to fall. The results come from the voluntary Business Insights and Conditions Survey conducted from 5 to 18 October. They are official statistics in development, subject to uncertainty, and do not describe the finances of any individual business.
SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS
Find where the margin moved
A gap between buying and selling-price reports is a warning to inspect the job, not evidence that every firm has lost margin. Take completed orders from the last four weeks and compare estimated with actual cost for blank garments, decoration, artwork, packing, staff time, energy-intensive production and delivery. Separate errors and rework from genuine supplier changes; otherwise a process problem may be mislabelled as inflation.
Rank the differences by pounds, not by how irritating they felt. A small percentage change on a large garment order may matter more than a sharp increase on an occasional consumable. Equally, a second delivery or late artwork can remove the profit from a low-quantity embroidered order even when the blank price is unchanged.
SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS
Protect capacity before adding work
If turnover improves while inputs rise, check whether the team can complete the mix profitably. Group embroidery runs by stable thread and hoop requirements where practical, prepare print artwork before the production slot, and confirm sizes in one approved list. These controls are useful because they reduce avoidable handling; they are not claims that workwear or printing can solve wider energy costs.
For outsourced DTF, signage or promotional work, compare the landed cost and confirmed deadline with producing or finishing in-house. Include staff touch time and the risk of a split shipment. Do not advertise a quicker route until the supplier has accepted the job.
SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS
Use one weekly margin page
Create a short review showing quoted revenue, actual external cost, staff time, delivery cost, rework and final margin for the most common jobs. Mark each figure as confirmed or estimated and keep the previous version. If a line repeatedly misses, change the estimating rule or the workflow responsible for it.
The aim is controlled evidence. Raise or redesign only the parts of an offer that need it, preserve competitive lines that remain sound, and explain any change using the customer’s specification rather than a national survey headline.
CHECK THE ORIGINAL REPORTING
Sources & dates
- Office for National Statistics — Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 22 October 2026 Published 22 October 2026