Netstock report shows over 2,500 SMBs juggling multiple supply chain risks
Netstock surveyed more than 2,500 global SMBs for its 2026 Benchmark Report, finding they now juggle supplier volatility, raw material cost fluctuations, and demand shifts instead of preparing for a single disruption. The report found that typical SMBs now turn inventory four times per year, the highest level in three years, while top performers average nearly eight turns annually.
The proportion of SMBs reporting more than 10% of inventory as dead stock has doubled since 2024. The share of SMBs saying they do not use AI or are unsure of its effectiveness has been cut in half since 2024. Concerns about data integrity and security in AI applications have risen from 23% of respondents in 2024 to 39% this year. Supplier lead-time swings were cited by 29% of respondents as a planning challenge.
“Businesses are no longer preparing for a single disruption,” Ara Ohanian, CEO of Netstock said.
Since 2024, the portion of SMBs reporting they do not use AI or are uncertain about its effectiveness has fallen by half. At the same time, worries over data integrity and security in AI have grown from 23% to 39% of respondents, and the share of SMBs with over 10% dead stock has doubled.
What we know
Netstock, the supply chain planning software provider, surveyed more than 2,500 global SMBs and found that while small businesses’ inventory turn rates are at a three-year high, they are also rapidly deploying AI and being forced to focus on supplier predictability in order to survive.
“Typical businesses are turning inventory four times per year, the highest level in three years, while top performers now average nearly eight turns annually,” the report’s authors said
“At the same time, the share of SMBs reporting more than 10 percent of inventory as dead stock has doubled since 2024, highlighting the growing challenge of managing inventory mix rather than inventory volume.” the report’s authors said
“The data showed that the share of SMBs polled who said they don’t use the technology or don’t know that it works has been cut in half since 2024.” The report stated
“Meanwhile, data integrity and security have emerged as the top AI challenge for three consecutive years, jumping from 23 percent of respondents in 2024 to 39 percent this year.” The report stated