The North West’s businesses will be focusing on investing in staff training (36%) in 2026, according to new research from Lloyds’ Business Barometer.
Another three in ten (30%) North West firms plan to invest in technology, while nearly a quarter (27%) plan to invest in expanding into new UK markets.
In the year ahead, the region’s firms will be focused on boosting their productivity (42%), upskilling their staff (35%) and attracting new staff (28%).
Enhancing technology, such as automation or AI (28%), is the area where the most North West businesses say they need extra support to achieve their 2026 goals.
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
Chris Whittle, area director in the North West at Lloyds, said: “Firms in the North West have plans to develop their workforce and enhance their technological capability – factors that go hand in hand when it comes to boosting productivity.
“We’ll be ready to support their growth strategies – whatever they involve – next year, so they’re able to make the most of new opportunities as they arise.”
