UK SMEs invest ‘over £1 trillion’ in technology, Worldpay research reveals
UK SMEs invest ‘over £1 trillion’ in technology, Worldpay research reveals
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are spending more than £1 trillion annually – the equivalent of 36% of their yearly revenue – on new tools and technology to run their businesses, according to new research from Worldpay.
The study highlights how SMEs are increasingly embracing digital solutions to improve productivity, streamline operations and meet growing customer expectations. Just 1% of SMB owners now say they are not using technology to manage any part of their business, a significant shift from a decade ago when one in five relied entirely on pen and paper.
Worldpay’s findings show that 90% of businesses report their technology investments have “turbocharged” efficiency. Adoption is particularly strong in financial management (54%), marketing and sales (49%) and payment processing (47%), while employee management, inventory control and CRM each average 40%.
SMBs of all sizes are turning to agile technology solutions to improve operations. Among them is The Smirkin’ Cod fish and chip shop in Swansea. Co-owners Mike Smith and Ben Parkin said: “Worldpay 360 has been a game-changer for us – it’s already saving us hours of admin each week. It’s made the day-to-day running of the business much smoother and the back office has also enabled us to easily add products, make amendments, add users and much more.”
Chris Wood, General Manager, SMB International at Worldpay, added: “At Worldpay we’ve proudly supported SMBs for decades, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of technology in reshaping how these businesses operate. This digital transformation is not just a trend – it’s a vital evolution that enhances productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Worldpay is on a mission provide SMBs with the right technology, empowering independent businesses to compete on a level playing field and thrive.”
The launch of Worldpay 360, the company’s new all-in-one business management and payments solution, aims to support this shift. Available to retail, hospitality and service businesses in three flexible bundles (Lite, Standard and Pro), it integrates Worldpay’s payment hardware with Yabie’s software, offering features such as inventory and table management, and customisable receipts.
Worldpay’s research surveyed 1,250 SME owners across the UK between 6 and 15 May 2025.
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