Small businesses in 'hard out survival mode'

Small businesses in 'hard out survival mode'
Small businesses reliant on fourth quarter earnings are entering the period of 'highest risk'. (Image: Getty)
Oliver Lewis
Many small businesses reliant on festive period earnings are entering the highest risk period for failure, a senior economist has warned.New Zealand is a nation of small businesses. There are about 530,000 businesses with fewer than 20 employees, making up 97% of all businesses in the country, according to figures from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).Of these, 388,000 businesses have no employees and about 100,000 have one to five.BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said a significant number of small businesses were r...

More Retail

Life insurance market shrinks
Finance Risky Business

Life insurance market shrinks

Foreign firms dominate as affordability, tax and access barriers stymie growth.

The quiet rise of ‘ghost brands’
Retail

The quiet rise of ‘ghost brands’

About 90% of the 80-odd Pita Pit stores now have virtual brands operating in them.

Gregor Thompson 17 Sep 2025
‘Unusual’ volume of CCCFA changes in focus
Finance

‘Unusual’ volume of CCCFA changes in focus

Select committee mulls proposed changes to CCCFA, to report recommendations Oct 20.

Andy Macdonald 16 Sep 2025
Two more Smiths City stores close as liquidation sale winds up, massive discounts
Retail

Two more Smiths City stores close as liquidation sale winds up, massive discounts

Embattled retailer Smiths City has closed two more stores as its fire sale draws winds up this weekend.Administrators Colin Gower and Diana Matchett of BDO Christchurch on Friday said staff numbers will significantly reduce from next week, with remaining staff to assist with deli...

Staff reporters 12 Sep 2025