On 1 October the Scottish Government published Scotland-weighted results from Wave 164 of the Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). The survey covered 7–20 September 2026 and responses from businesses with a presence in Scotland and at least 10 employees. For October, falling demand was the most frequently named leading concern, at an estimated 16.3%. Energy prices were the top concern for 12.1%, while 14.7% reported no concerns.

The ranking of top concerns is different from the broader share expressing any level of concern. Energy prices were the single top concern for 12.1% of businesses, but an estimated 73.3% were very or somewhat concerned about them. The share was 82.9% in construction and 84.1% in transport and storage. An estimated 72.6% were concerned about increases in fuel prices; the sector figures were 90.8% for construction and 87.8% for transport and storage.

The release also reports separate indicators on costs and pricing decisions. An estimated 23.8% of businesses said prices for goods or services they bought rose in August compared with July. A further 8.0% said they raised prices for goods or services sold. For October, 14.3% expected to increase selling prices. Among businesses considering price rises, labour costs were cited by 31.3% and energy prices by 30.5% as leading factors. These are reported expectations, not observed price increases.

Some 26.3% said turnover had increased in August from the previous month, compared with 23.6% in July and 24.1% in August 2025. In September responses, an estimated 26.7% expected business performance to improve over the coming 12 months and 9.2% expected it to worsen. These questions refer to different periods: turnover looks back one month, while the performance question looks forward a year. Expectations are not guaranteed outcomes or national accounts measures.

BICS is a business survey that produces weighted estimates; it should not be read as an exact administrative count of every company. Its stated scope is businesses with 10 or more employees, so microbusiness experiences are not represented in the same way. Sector percentages also do not describe every firm in that sector. The results help track reported conditions and sentiment, but do not alone establish causation, profitability or future energy costs.