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Detroit Regional Chamber > Small Business > Small Business Outlook: Small Businesses Stay Confident as Growth Plans, Sales Stall

Small Business Outlook: Small Businesses Stay Confident as Growth Plans, Sales Stall

May 11, 2026

May 2026 Small Business Data

Summary: Consumer spending stalled in April.

  • Month-over-month sales at small businesses were flat in April (0.0% change) and year-over-year sales at small businesses continued to go up (+1.1% change).

Learn more about this data from the Fiserv April Small Business Index, published on May 4, 2026.

Electronic brain and Concept of artificial intelligence(AI).

58% of small business owners have incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations (2 points higher than last quarter).

Summary: Confidence among small business owners in Q1 remained high and AI adoption continued its upward climb.

  • 93% of small businesses anticipate moderate to significant growth over the next year (1 point lower than last quarter) and 29.5% anticipate significant growth (0.4% points higher than last quarter).
  • 31% of small business owners cited cash flow as their highest concern (2 points higher than last quarter), surpassing inflation (29%).
  • 34% of small business owners reported negative financial impacts from tariffs and 43% reported that tariffs did not impact their business financially. Of those negatively impacted, 69% passed on price increases to customers and 22% found alternative suppliers.

Learn more about this data from the 2026 OnDeck + Ocrolus Small Business Q1 Cash Flow Trend Report, publish on May 1, 2026.