Fiserv, Inc. just published the Fiserv Small Business Index for June 2024, which found that on a year-over-year basis, both small business sales (+1.6%) and transactions (+4.4%) grew compared to June 2023, though the pace of growth is slowing. This is reflected in declines of small business sales (-2.9%) and transactions (-1.5%) month-over-month.
“The Fiserv Small Business Index provides timely insight into small business performance well ahead of other economic indicators,” said Jennifer LaClair, Head of Merchant Solutions at Fiserv, in a news release. “As consumers adjust their spending patterns, our ability to understand the impact on small businesses helps us work across our ecosystem to better support clients through a changing economic landscape.”
Small Business Retail Sales
Nationally, small business retail sales indexed at 142 in June, which reflects growth in year-over-year sales (+2.4%) and transactions (+7.0%) as consumers spent ahead of their 2023 pace, according to the index. General Merchandise (+8.5%) outpaced all retail subsectors in yearly growth, followed by Gasoline Stations (+2.8%) and Health and Personal Care (+2.8%). Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (-4.1%) and Furniture/Electronics/Appliance Retailers (-1.2%) saw total sales decline year-over-year.
On a monthly basis, the impact was more significant as consumers sought deals and pulled-back on discretionary purchases, with month-over-month sales (-3.3%) and transactions (-0.8%) both trending downward. General Merchandise (+0.3%) was the only retail category to grow total sales from May to June, the index states. Gasoline Stations (-4.5%), Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (-5.9%), and Health and Personal Care (-7.2%) saw the sharpest declines month-over-month. Wholesale Trade, which tracks closely to Retail outcomes, also experienced a monthly slowdown (-4.0%).
Restaurant and Food Categories
Small business restaurant sales (+3.6%) and transactions (+2.3%) continue to grow year-over-year, though growth is also slowing. Average ticket sizes at small restaurants grew (+1.3%), according to the index. Food and Beverage stores (which includes grocery) grew sales (+4.6%) and transactions (+8.1%) year-over-year.
Month-over-month, total restaurant sales (-1.2%) and transactions (-1.9%) declined. Average ticket sizes at restaurants were up slightly (+0.7%) from May, potentially signaling that rising food prices are dissuading spending, the index states. Unlike May, there was no evidence that consumers shifted typical restaurant spending to other food categories, such as grocery, which also softened (-0.3%) month-over-month.
Other Industry Movers
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services are seeing growth in sales (+9.0%) and transactions (+7.7%) year-over-year. Month-over-month sales declined (-2.9%) from May, although transactions were mostly flat (-0.3%), according to the index.
Specialty Trade Contractors grew sales (+1.6%) and transactions (+3.8%) year-over-year. Month-over-month sales (-2.1%) and transactions (-2.8%) tapered off as demand for general carpentry and light construction cooled, the index states.
Additional strong year-over-year growth categories included Web Search Portals, Libraries and Related Services (+22.9%) and Amusement/Gambling/Recreation (+13.4%); the sharpest annual declines were in Real Estate (-14.2%) and Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (-14.0%). Web Search Portals, Libraries and Related Services (+2.4%), Amusement/Recreation/Gambling (+1.5%), and Insurance (+1.4%) were the fastest growing categories month-over-month. Spending slowed most in Truck Transportation (-8.9%) compared to May, according to the index.
