**Small Businesses in the UK Turn to Technology and Sustainability for Greater Efficiency**
Small business owners across the UK are increasingly adopting modern technology and eco-friendly practices in search of greater efficiency in their day-to-day operations, according to new research. As challenges such as rising costs and growing customer expectations mount, entrepreneurs are prioritising initiatives that not only streamline workflows but also align with environmental goals.
The latest data reveals that more than four in five (84%) small business proprietors surveyed are confident when it comes to embracing new technologies or digital tools. This openness to innovation appears driven by the desire to simplify administrative tasks, reduce manual workloads, and ultimately lower operational expenses—all while delivering improved experiences for their customers.
Among the priorities highlighted by respondents, automating repetitive processes such as accounting, invoicing, customer communication, marketing, and monitoring energy usage emerged as top of the list. These areas, business owners noted, often consume an inordinate amount of time and effort. By leveraging emerging tech solutions, they hope to reclaim precious hours and channel resources toward growth.
However, the burden of energy costs weighed heavily on the minds of many, with 22% citing it as one of their biggest financial pressures. Despite the growing use of digital accounting tools, only a quarter (24%) of those polled feel fully in control of their business’s cashflow and routine financial planning. The situation underscores why so many are searching for smarter, more efficient ways to run their companies.
Victoria Bacon, Director at Smart Energy GB, commented on the findings, saying: “With such a wide range of responsibilities facing business owners, it makes sense they’re turning to technological solutions. One step that can make an immediate difference is the installation of a smart meter.” She explained that smart meters offer the practical benefit of tracking energy consumption in real time, eliminating the need to send manual readings and helping businesses take control of usage and overall expenses.
Sustainability is also climbing the agenda, the report highlighted. Nearly all respondents (84%) said environmental considerations are important when making decisions about business operations. The dual motivation of reducing overheads and enhancing environmental credentials is proving persuasive, with three quarters (73%) indicating they would be more inclined to invest in sustainable technologies if there were clear cost benefits. Meanwhile, a further 31% felt that customer expectations are pushing them to operate in a more environmentally sound manner.
Efforts by business owners to minimise their ecological footprint are already under way. Steps include reducing waste (30%), cutting energy consumption (25%), and upgrading outdated equipment in favour of more efficient alternatives (22%). These actions are both an ethical imperative and a savvy financial strategy, according to many surveyed.
Gianluca Capilungo, who co-owns Capilungo Café in London, shared his experience, stating: “As a restaurant, we rely so heavily on the natural world—whether it’s the ingredients we cook with or the energy that powers our kitchen. We feel a real responsibility to act thoughtfully by cutting food waste, sourcing locally, and managing energy use more efficiently. It’s better for the planet and for the long-term outlook of our business.”
Capilungo went on to highlight the practical advantages of adopting a smart meter: “It provides detailed, online data on our energy usage, which allows us to identify patterns, recognise spikes, and make corrections as needed. That transparency gives us a sense of control over an area that can otherwise be unpredictable. In a business like ours, small changes can make a big difference.”
Summing up the key findings, Victoria Bacon at Smart Energy GB emphasised that data from smart meters can help business owners become more efficient with their energy use, reducing both their carbon footprint and operational costs. As many small businesses navigate the uncertainties of 2025, such practical changes could prove vital for both financial security and sustainability.
With technology and eco-conscious strategies increasingly intertwined, the trend suggests that small businesses across the UK are not only adapting to survive, but are setting themselves up for long-term resilience in a rapidly changing world.