It’s not quite unanimous, but 92 percent of small-business owners say their costs of doing business have increased this year, according to a new survey from SurePayroll, the Illinois-based online payroll provider.
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Yet only 30 percent of those surveyed nationwide said they are raising prices to offset their own rising costs. What’s taking a bite out of small businesses? As you can see by the accompanying chart, the biggest hunk is going to salaries, followed by healthcare benefits, both are employee-related costs.

“Regardless of any financial struggles small-business owners face, they must continue to offer highly competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain the kind of quality employees necessary to keep their businesses running,” said SurePayroll President Michael Alter.

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