According to a report developed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), during this last quarter of the year, many small business owners have remained optimistic amidst economic uncertainty due to inflation and high tariffs, in addition to the difficulties in finding skilled workers.

In this regard, Bull Dunkelberg, The NFIB's chief economist, who is part of the research team, commented that "although optimism has increased, small business owners remain frustrated by the lack of skilled workers. Despite this, more businesses are still planning to create new jobs in the near future," he said. According to the analysis, optimism among small businesses rose to 99 in November, primarily attributed to hopes of increased sales by the end of the year. As a result, many are focusing on the quality of their workforce, which is their main concern. In the report, the NFIB indicated that owners have been frustrated by the lack of available skilled workers to fill their vacant positions. “Job openings were above the historical average throughout the year, compensation has increased, but in reality, few new workers were hired,” the NFIB wrote. The analysis also highlighted a trend among retailers: more than 60% of small business owners reported being affected by supply chain disruptions, forcing many to raise their prices. Despite optimism, inflationary pressures are expected to continue into next year.