Another challenge is getting worse for businesses. It’s fueling inflation.

Inflation isn’t the only major challenge that’s getting worse for businesses. New data shows supply chain hurdles are even more prevalent than they were a year ago. The end result? More upward pressure on prices. About 44.5% of small-business owners surveyed by the Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse Survey in April said they had experienced domestic supplier delays, up from about 29.3% during the same time last year. About 19.2% experienced foreign supplier delays, up from about 12% during April 2021. About 22.5% of small-business owners had difficulties locating alternative domestic suppliers, up from about 13% during the same time last year.