International Business Report

Instability has come to define the global business landscape. Today, business leaders face an unprecedented array of both routine operational challenges and unpredictable global or regional shocks – challenging their ability to function and grow. From infrastructure breakdowns and cyberattacks to climate disasters and volatile shifts in global trade, disruption has become a daily reality.

Grant Thornton’s latest International Business Report (IBR) reveals that the mid-market has high expectations for prospects abroad and is showing an eager appetite to invest.

Evolving supply chains and trade patterns amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Top five major constraints that are testing the mid-market’s ability to grow their businesses internationally.

Brand has been identified as a key driver of mid-market success when looking to grow and develop international business.

Key Leadership Skills to Expand Your Business Internationally

Navigating tariffs : Maintaining mid-market resilience amid ongoing uncertainty. At the close of 2024, mid-market businesses were riding a steady wave of optimism. According to Grant Thornton's International Business Report (IBR) research 54.6% of mid-market firms planned to increase their exports, with a similarly strong 50.3% expecting revenue growth from international markets. However, as we entered 2025 trade tensions escalated, with optimism experiencing its first notable dip in two years (down 2.9pp to 72.7%). Despite these early signs of caution emerging among mid-market leaders though, the underlying fundamentals – rooted in agility and strategic foresight – remained relatively robust.

Navigating tariffs : Maintaining mid-market resilience amid ongoing uncertainty. At the close of 2024, mid-market businesses were riding a steady wave of optimism. According to Grant Thornton's International Business Report (IBR) research 54.6% of mid-market firms planned to increase their exports, with a similarly strong 50.3% expecting revenue growth from international markets. However, as we entered 2025 trade tensions escalated, with optimism experiencing its first notable dip in two years (down 2.9pp to 72.7%). Despite these early signs of caution emerging among mid-market leaders though, the underlying fundamentals – rooted in agility and strategic foresight – remained relatively robust.

Exploring the sustainability journey for the mid-market and what's driving these organisations to take action.