Grand Est's SMEs Show Economic Resilience Amid Challenging Conditions in Q3 2025

Small and medium-sized enterprises (PMEs) in France's Grand Est region are demonstrating resiliency despite facing rising costs, cash flow tensions, and national economic difficulties, according to a new assessment by the regional council of chartered accountants. Catherine Hanssen, president of the council, which includes 1,583 accountants across 1,578 firms employing nearly 15,000 people, presented the region's first comprehensive economic review based on detailed data from 41,000 small and medium businesses.

Between July and September 2025, the region's Index of Business Revenue (ICA) returned to positive growth with a 0.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, outperforming the national average which declined by 0.3%. Alsace saw modest revenue growth of 0.4% in Bas-Rhin and 0.6% in Haut-Rhin. Although cumulative revenues for the first nine months of 2025 remain slightly down by 0.4%, this is better than the national average decline of 0.7%.

The report highlighted sector disparities: specialized clothing retail fell by 5.6% cumulatively, while butchers and caterers benefited from price increases amid supply shortages, enjoying a 1.6% rise in revenue. However, a notable increase in household savings, reaching 18.2% in 2024, has negatively impacted hospitality and traditional restaurants with a 2.7% revenue drop. Business failures in the region have stabilized, showing a slight 0.4% decrease compared to last year’s third quarter, contrasting with a 5.2% nationwide increase.

Hanssen stressed vigilance in the face of these mixed signals amidst a tense economic climate, underlining the importance of monitoring these trends closely to support ongoing SME resilience in Grand Est.