Research from Bibby Financial Services found that 64% of retail owner-managers listed financial worries as their major problem, while 54% also mentioned keeping up with legislative changes. Nearly half (47%) were worried about red tape, while more than a third (36%) mentioned late payment.

David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said:

“With nearly five thousand businesses failing in the first three months of this year, it is unsurprising that owners and managers are worrying about the state of their business, especially financial matters."