Report
Published June 13, 2023
Commercial Commercial InsightsBusiness owners continue to struggle to access quality labor, strengthen operations, and create backup supplier networks as supply chain disruption and inflation hamper delivery. Diesel prices are up 71% YOY according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the higher cost of energy is resulting in lower margins and impacting delivery of goods and services. These costs have been rising sharply since February 2022 and exacerbated challenges already being addressed by business owners in the 1st quarter of 2022 commodity, component, and inventory shortages. Small businesses are adjusting to a high-demand low supply market through 2022. Subscribe to this quarterly Report here or follow our full suite of quarterly insights on our Commercial Insights Hub.
Download the report
View now
Webinar
Convergence of consumer and commercial fraud prevention
In this webinar, Experian experts explore how organizations can apply proven consumer fraud prevention tactics to strengthen commercial lending defenses.
What you'll learn:
- How consumer fraud strategies can be adapted for commercial use cases
- Where commercial lending is most exposed and how to mitigate risk
- How shared signals across identity, behavior and devices can improve detection
Report
Q3 2025 Main Street Report
The holidays are here, and Black Friday sparks a surge in consumer spending. U.S. small businesses are proving remarkably resilient despite persistent economic challenges. Inflation held at 3.0% in September, and interest rates remain elevated, yet entrepreneurs are capitalizing on seasonal demand through digital innovation and disciplined financial strategies.
August saw 428,937 new business applications, a 10% year-over-year increase driven by minority and younger founders, while the Experian Small Business Index™ rose to 41.1, signaling improved credit health. With average credit card APRs exceeding 21.5%, small firms are shifting toward installment loans to finance inventory and holiday promotions, ensuring structured repayment and sustainable growth.
This adaptability positions local retailers to turn economic headwinds into opportunities, leveraging festive shopping momentum to strengthen their foothold in a competitive market.
Video
Rising Delinquencies Signal Growing Risk in Transportation & Warehousing
As the U.S. economy continues to recalibrate post-pandemic, the transportation and warehousing segments of the logistics sector are signaling caution. While the broader logistics industry has remained in expansion mode, Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report reveals that delinquencies are rising—an early warning of growing risk in two of the economy’s most critical subsectors.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Under Pressure: How Rising Food Costs Are Changing Restaurant Credit Behavior
Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report dives into the financial health of the restaurant sector amid rising costs and shifting consumer behavior.
Key insights:
- Menu prices at Full-Service Restaurants rose 4.6% in August — outpacing inflation.
- Limited-Service Restaurants are showing improved credit risk scores, suggesting stronger adaptability.
- Credit access is tightening across the board, with average credit limits falling below $6,000.
- Revolving credit utilization is climbing — an early signal of potential cash flow strain.
What does this mean for lenders and decision makers?
✅ Not all restaurant types face the same risks.
✅ Segmenting credit strategies is more important than ever.
✅ Watch utilization and inquiry trends closely — they may be early indicators of distress.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!