Why Manchester businesses need to make marketing a must-do

While the rest of the country struggles with a sluggish economy, Manchester is defying the trend with record growth – double that of the country as a whole.

But while there are many reasons for Manchester businesses to feel optimistic, 2026 is still looking like a tough year. With forecasts of rising costs, labour shortages and shifting consumer habits, business owners are going to have to stay plugged in and switched on if they want to succeed.

Square understands more than most the unique challenges faced by SMEs, which is why its Local Economy Report is vital reading.

Trusted by 4.5 million businesses worldwide, Square doesn’t just take payments; it also acts as a critical business partner – providing one intuitive, customisable system that handles everything from reporting and funding to marketing and loyalty programmes.

Created by leveraging its internal transaction data, the Local Economy Report explores consumer trends and regular behaviour across six of the UK’s major cities: London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Edinburgh.

One of the key findings relates the importance of regular, loyal customers (defined as those who return to the same business at least four times in a year). Square describes these people as “the lifeblood of neighbourhood businesses” – which makes sense when you learn that these regulars account for at least five times as much annual revenue as transient customers.

Joanna Mangion, founder and director of wellness brand Nue Ground, says that building meaningful relationships with customers has been keen to her business’s ongoing success.

“Across both our cafe and studio, the team builds genuine, ongoing relationships with clients, creating a strong sense of familiarity and