89% of Guaranteed Irish members expect business growth, 54% plan to increase employment, while energy costs remain a competitiveness challenge.
Guaranteed Irish member businessess are entering the year ahead with strong expectations for growth and employment, according to new research by Red C.
The research found that 89% of members are confident about growing their business over the next 12 months, with 54% expecting employment levels to increase.
“The importance members place on sustainable local supply chains demonstrates the value of building stronger connections between businesses based in Ireland”
Energy and utility costs remain a significant issue for businesses, with 74% of respondents saying these costs are impacting their competitiveness.
KEY NUMBERS: Guaranteed Irish optimism
• 89% confident about business growth over the next 12 months
• 54% expect employment levels to increase
• 74% report pressure from energy and utility costs
• 82% value sustainable local supply chains within Ireland
• 77% prioritise sourcing within Ireland and the EU
• 57% report financial benefit from their Guaranteed Irish licence
• 83% cite benefits for community engagement and reputation
• 73% adopted AI tools or automation in the past 12 months
Editorial takeaway: Growth and hiring confidence remain strong, with energy costs the clearest pressure point for members.
Local supply chains a priority
The research points to the importance businesses place on sustainable and locally based supply chains.
Some 82% of Guaranteed Irish members said working with sustainable local supply chains within Ireland is important. A further 77% identified sourcing within Ireland and the EU as important or critically important to their strategy over the next one to two years.
The findings also indicate that members see commercial value in their association with Guaranteed Irish. Some 57% said their licence has helped their business financially, while 92% value the use of the Guaranteed Irish symbol and licence.
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Bríd O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish, said: “These findings show that our members are approaching the year ahead with confidence and ambition. With more than half expecting to increase employment, there is a clear opportunity to support business growth and strengthen local economies.
“The importance members place on sustainable local supply chains demonstrates the value of building stronger connections between businesses based in Ireland. It is also encouraging that 57% report a financial benefit from their Guaranteed Irish licence, reinforcing the role of the symbol in helping businesses communicate trust and their contribution to Ireland.”
Reputation and recruitment
Membership is also associated with reputation and recruitment benefits among respondents.
Some 83% said being a licensed member has helped position their business positively in community engagement and reputation building. Another 65% said membership has supported their employer brand by building trust to attract and retain employees.
Trust also plays a role in purchasing decisions. Some 59% said the Guaranteed Irish accreditation mark is important in influencing their procurement and purchasing choices.
AI adoption gathers pace
The research also provides an indication of technology adoption among members.
Some 73% reported adopting AI tools or automation technologies in the past 12 months.
Guaranteed Irish is encouraging businesses based in Ireland to explore membership as a way to demonstrate their contribution, develop trusted connections and access its business community.
What I changed: I tightened the release into a cleaner business-news structure, led on the strongest growth and jobs figures, grouped the findings by theme, and retained Bríd O’Connell’s quote verbatim. I also removed promotional repetition, HTML formatting and em dashes, while keeping all facts strictly within the supplied material.
Image at top: Bríd O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish
FAQ – The power of local linkages
What percentage of Guaranteed Irish members are confident about business growth?
Some 89% of Guaranteed Irish members are confident about growing their business over the next 12 months.
How many Guaranteed Irish members expect to increase employment?
The Red C research found that 54% of members expect their employment levels to increase.
How are energy costs affecting Guaranteed Irish members?
Some 74% of members said energy and utility costs are impacting their business, highlighting continuing pressure on competitiveness.
How important are sustainable local supply chains to Guaranteed Irish members?
Some 82% said working with sustainable local supply chains within Ireland is important. In addition, 77% said sourcing within Ireland and the EU is important or critically important to their strategy over the next one to two years.
How many Guaranteed Irish members are using AI or automation?
Some 73% of respondents reported adopting AI tools or automation technologies in the past 12 months.
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