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Small businesses in 2026 are operating in an environment that increasingly rewards adaptability. As customer behavior shifts and competitive pressures evolve, many owners are rethinking their growth strategies and how they approach expansion.
New data from the Small Business Expo Research Desk (n=681) shows that this shift is already well underway. More than 80% of small businesses report that they are either actively trying new strategies or planning to do so in the near future.
This level of experimentation suggests that strategic change is no longer occasional—it is becoming a core part of how small businesses operate.
Highlights
- Most interesting finding: Over 80% of small businesses are either trying or planning new strategies.
- 55% are actively experimenting.
- 27% are planning to adopt new strategies.
- 73% expect faster growth next year.
- Sample size: n = 681.
Experimentation Is Becoming the Norm
The data shows that most small businesses are actively exploring new ways to grow.
Strategy Adoption (n=681)
- Yes — 374 (54.9%)
- Planning to — 186 (27.3%)
- No — 121 (17.8%)
Combined, 82.2% of respondents are either trying or planning new strategies.
This marks a meaningful shift in how small businesses operate. Rather than relying on established approaches, many are actively testing new ideas as part of their day-to-day strategy.
These efforts may include:
- Expanding into new sales channels
- Adjusting pricing models
- Forming partnerships
- Testing new marketing approaches
Growth Expectations Remain Strong
Alongside this widespread experimentation, business outlook is highly optimistic.
Growth Expectations (n=681)
- Faster — 499 (73.3%)
- About the same — 148 (21.7%)
- Slower — 33 (4.8%)
Nearly three-quarters of respondents expect faster growth in the coming year, reinforcing the idea that many small businesses are positioning themselves for expansion.
Businesses Trying New Strategies Are More Likely to Expect Growth
A secondary—but important—insight emerges when comparing strategy adoption with growth expectations.
Growth Expectations by Strategy Behavior
| Strategy | % Expect Faster Growth |
| Yes (trying strategies) | 79% |
| Planning to | 73% |
| No | 57% |
Businesses actively trying new strategies are 22 percentage points more likely to expect faster growth than those that are not.
While this relationship may appear intuitive, the size of the gap is notable.
Experimentation as a Growth Signal
The data suggests that experimentation is not just widespread—it is also closely associated with growth expectations.
Businesses that are testing growth strategies may be:
- Expanding into new markets
- Increasing customer reach
- Unlocking new revenue streams
At the same time, businesses that are not experimenting show a more cautious outlook, with lower expectations for accelerated growth.
According to McKinsey, companies that actively test new business models and channels tend to outperform peers, particularly in uncertain environments.¹
Strategic Implications
Taken together, the findings point to a broader shift:
Experimentation is becoming a standard operating behavior for small businesses.
With more than 80% of businesses either trying or planning new strategies, the distinction may no longer be between those who experiment and those who do not—but between those who experiment effectively and those who lag behind.
In this context:
- Adaptability becomes a competitive advantage
- Strategy becomes more iterative
- Growth becomes increasingly tied to experimentation
In many cases, these growth strategies are being tested incrementally rather than through large-scale changes, allowing businesses to adapt without taking on excessive risk. This iterative approach reflects a broader shift toward continuous optimization rather than one-time strategic overhauls.
Final Takeaway
The data highlights a clear trend: small businesses are actively embracing change.
With over 80% of respondents either trying or planning new growth strategies, experimentation has become a defining characteristic of small business behavior in 2026.
At the same time, businesses that experiment are significantly more likely to expect faster growth—suggesting that trying new approaches is not just common, but closely linked to future performance.
Footnotes
- McKinsey & Company. The Growth Triple Play. https://www.mckinsey.com
Related: Small Businesses Say More Time Is Their Biggest Need