From the pandemic’s supply chain issues to the current worries over rising inflation, many small businesses have been struggling to adapt to the sudden shifts of today’s economy. With inflation increasing year over year 7.6% in July in Canada, more and more businesses in the province of Quebec are worrying about how exactly inflation has and will impact their business, and if now is the time to sell.
Let’s examine the major factors involved:
Rising prices in Quebec
While the Feds have raised interest rates to help offset the recent surge in inflation, those increases take some time to work. In the meantime, inflation has increased the cost of raw materials, creating a domino effect of increased prices. What does this mean for a small business in Montreal? To start, it means that what the business pays for supplies and services to keep their company afloat has increased. They can raise their prices to offset how much more they are spending on materials. The drawback of this option is that some customers simply may not be able to absorb the extra expense, and you lose their business. Many business owners in Montreal express their concerns to Transworld Business Advisors Canada about not being able to pass on those costs to their clients, and ask us for mitigation advice that helps keep their business valuation unaffected as they transition to sell their businesses. This is specially felt across the F&B industry across Quebec.
Overhead expenses felt by business owners in Montreal
Next, many small businesses have been looking for ways to cut their costs to offset the impact of rising inflation. This can be done through reducing inventory, making budget cuts or simply getting creative with new ways to bring in money. But ongoing labor shortages and supply chain issues may make this option more challenging than normal. Additionally, as consumers and other businesses look to tighten their purse strings, many small businesses may find themselves facing delayed or cancelled orders, which further cut into their profits.
Narrower profit margins
The final option for a small business is to simply accept a slimmer profit margin, meaning less money to save or funnel back into the business. Inflation doesn’t just affect businesses, it affects consumers as well, who must search for ways to make their paychecks go further. You may find your business’s growth begin to slow or flatten. Over time, it may even become harder to turn a profit. If selling your small business is on the table, the more profit your business is making, the more it’s worth. Maximizing what you can earn from the sale of your business is something a broker can help with, both to ensure your business stays profitable before the sale and is valued correctly to get you the most money possible.
What is your business worth?
Wondering how much your small business is worth? Try our business valuation calculator tool to get a clear understanding of your company’s potential value. At Transworld, we gather all the information needed to value and list your small business for sale, ensuring you are getting the best return on your years of investments. Some small businesses may try one of these three options or a combination of several (or all) to combat the impact of inflation on their bottom line. Still others may decide the best option for them is to sell.
Is this a good time to sell your business?
If selling your business is something you are considering, now might be the right time, before an additional interest rate hike. The more rates increase, the harder it may be to get a loan, meaning your business may have fewer buyers able to secure funding. Additionally, despite inflation’s current effects, the economy is still growing, meaning you stand to make more of a profit now on the sale of your business than you may in the future if the economy slides into a recession. Finally, it may be easier to find a buyer for your business now, should inflation get worse, and fewer buyers are willing or able to take on additional debt.
During uncertain times, it helps to have the assistance of a professional business broker. Transworld’s business advisors are here to help facilitate your business sale by finding you the right buyer profile — especially during a fast-moving market. Schedule a FREE consultation today with Transworld Business Advisors Canada to get started.
