Against a backdrop of rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, new research from Alibaba.com suggests that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are choosing to innovate their way through adversity rather than retreat from it. According to a survey of 1,000 SME decision-makers, nearly half (48%) of UK SMEs are planning to increase their spending on product innovation and R&D in the months ahead.
This appetite for innovation, despite challenging conditions, reflects a widespread belief among business leaders that developing new or improved products is essential for growth and long-term success. Indeed, 86% of respondents said they view product innovation as a key driver of business performance – a sentiment that underscores the resilience and ambition of the UK’s SME sector.
For many SM
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