Each Year we bring you data as reported by brick and mortar shops who opt to share their experiences.
We’ve captured quite a lot of data. Note that captured feedback reflects a full range of sentiments, rather than a general operating belief of BNM.
Key takeaways:
- Crime is down over 10% from the previous year.
- While holiday traffic and sales were strong, much of 2025 sales were lackluster
- Summarize staffing data
- Businesses are getting more organized about their employee benefits and employee retention efforts69% not looking to add staff
- 13% looking to lower payroll
- Biggest Challenges can be summarized by the growing divide between the increase in costs and inputs with a decrease in customer spending. The decrease in spending is attributed to:
- Decline in consumer confidence
- Decreased tourism
- Decrease in margins due to tariffs, shipping costs, labor costs, leasing costs and other inputs
- Real commitment to the Small Business Community looks like: flexible and accessible grants that help small businesses stabilize, modernize, and market themselves to support recovery and long-term sustainability.
Key Quotes from survey respondents:
“Right now, many of us feel like our sales resemble COVID-era conditions. That is both unfortunate and frightening. It feels as though we may be entering another economic downturn or recession, and small businesses are once again carrying the weight of it. Small businesses are the heartbeat of Portland—without us, there is no vibrant city. Downtown Portland already feels like a ghost town, and we do not want Southeast, Northeast, or North Portland to follow that same path.”
“BNM team has been instrumental in identifying and exposing the crucial moments small businesses face when the economy slows. As small business owners, we rely heavily on surveys, real data, and advocacy—and your organization does an excellent job collecting that information and elevating it to the City of Portland, county representatives, and city commissioners.”
“We need the city’s help to reinvest in small businesses so we can remain open, employ people, and serve our communities.”
