Finance Focus From challenge to smart growth
Another budget has been and gone but as much as it causes some disruption, one thing it does bring is stability in which a business can plan ahead. Alex Hall, national account manager, at Shire Leasing explains.
E
ntering 2026, printwear and promotion businesses can plan to approach the year with new resolve. Innovation is thriving, and the upcoming Printwear & Promotion LIVE! event promises inspiration and commercial opportunity.
But operating costs for SMEs are rising and, as recent government policy shows, there’s little immediate relief on the horizon. On the positive though, the Autumn Budget towards the end of 2025 did provide clarity on what’s ahead – making now the ideal time to get strategic about funding growth.
With the dust settled, certainty is the key positive: tax, wage, and relief structures are now largely mapped out for the next few years, meaning business owners can finally plan investment decisions with confidence.
How finance helped businesses in 2025
Latest statistics show total asset finance volumes grew 2% year-on-year to September 2025 (Finance and Leasing Association), confirming that businesses are still investing when given workable funding options. Reflecting on 2025, asset finance proved vital for growth and resilience in printwear, decoration, and promo supply too. At Shire, we supported many businesses upgrade breakdowns and refresh equipment through leasing, financing over £850k of equipment ranging from embroidery machines and printers, to presses and laser cutters. Those payment options support affordable access to speed, reliability and energy savings – and crucially retain cash for staffing, marketing, and inventory. The main change we see coming this year: finance being planned, not reactive, and supporting growth beyond just ‘staying afloat.’
Five finance-led moves for 2026 With cost pressures rising, here are a few recommendations for thriving in 2026: 1. Plan investment in light of new costs Fixed overheads, especially wages and tax, will rise this year. Owners should forecast payroll, anticipate threshold freezes, and
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factor these into all growth plans. Finance options can help smooth margins and keep working capital available as costs rise. 2. Align equipment upgrades to business strategy
Map which niches (schoolwear, workwear, sports clubs, short-run custom) will generate your growth opportunities long-term. Forecasting can help guide your choices in new machinery or technology, maximising future return on investments. 3. Protect cash for your core growth levers
Leasing, rather than buying outright, production kit can let businesses deploy cash elsewhere – such as hiring, website upgrades, paid advertising, or joining key industry events. In a year of rising overheads, disciplined use of finance can free investment for skills and lead generation.
4. Look beyond the sticker price When comparing equipment investment options, look beyond just the upfront price and consider other value points. Factor in running costs (energy, consumables), reliability, payment options, aftercare support, and how quickly new kit might pay for itself in additional capacity or better margins.
5. Explore alternative finance options Alternative finance has grown rapidly in the UK, giving SMEs more choice beyond a single bank loan or overdraft. Options now range from specialist asset finance and invoice finance through to challenger banks, fintech lenders and British Business Bank-backed schemes, each with different strengths and use cases.
Independent sources such as the British Business Bank’s Finance Finder can act as a great resource to help you research the right type of finance for your specific need, rather than defaulting to whatever is most familiar.
Looking at the year ahead The message for 2026 – use finance to retain cash and access essential equipment, keeping options open in an environment where every penny counts. As the sole finance provider exhibiting at this year’s Printwear & Promotion LIVE! Shire Leasing will be supporting both visitors and exhibitors with access to finance options, helping visitors to grow affordably and exhibiting equipment suppliers to offer payment choices at the point of sale.
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