NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index decreased half of a point in September to 90.8.
"That's the 21st consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98," said Dan Murray with NFIB Kansas. "Twenty-three percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business. That's unchanged from last month and it continues to be tied with labor quality and labor shortage as small business owners top concern."
NFIB-Kansas members see inflation as sticking around.
"One of the key findings from this most recent optimism index is that small business owners expecting better conditions over the next six months deteriorated over six points from this past August," Murray said.
That pessimism is at recession levels.
"Certainly, the pressure of inflation and the labor shortage are showing no signs of easing," Murray said. "Sales are starting to slow among the retail sector. We obviously hope as we head into the holiday season that this picks up a little bit. I think unease is the word I would characterize for many small business owners in Kansas."
Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.