Retail SMEs pessimistic about future, reluctant to invest
The latest EFL Barometer for Q3 2025 shows that Polish SMEs in the trade sector remain trapped in pessimism. Despite a slight increase in the index, trade is the only industry scoring below the 50-point threshold, signaling unfavorable growth conditions—unchanged since early 2022. Investment activity has nearly frozen: only 1% of companies plan new projects, while 79% foresee no changes and 20% expect cuts.
Sales forecasts remain weak, with 24% anticipating declines versus just 6% expecting growth. Financial liquidity also deteriorates—only 6% see improvement, while 21% expect worsening. Notably, more firms need external financing, yet mainly to cover obligations, not expansion. The overall Barometer index reached 51.5 points, slightly above Q2’s 50.6.
