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Small Businesses Slash 120,000 Jobs Amid Rising Costs

12/6/2025

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Small Firms Layoffs

Small U.S. firms with under 50 employees cut 120,000 jobs in November amid high inflation, tariffs, and uncertainty.
Lacie Carroll-Marsh, owner of a candle company, laid off staff due to soaring health insurance costs and declining sales.
Stuart Leventhal, a furniture store owner, absorbed tariff costs to retain employees, reducing profits by 10%.
The situation shows a broader trend of cautious consumer spending and rising operational costs.

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Business Leaders Cutbacks

Resume.org reports one in three U.S. business leaders plan holiday season layoffs, with over half expecting cuts between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The primary reason is cost-cutting.
Thirty-four percent say layoffs could have been delayed.
The survey shows 58% of companies will offer severance.
Unemployment-benefits applications have fallen to a three-year low, signaling a complex job market amid political decisions.

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Small Firms Layoffs

Small U.S. firms with under 50 employees cut 120,000 jobs in November amid high inflation, tariffs, and uncertainty.
Lacie Carroll-Marsh, owner of a candle company, laid off staff due to soaring health insurance costs and declining sales.
Stuart Leventhal, a furniture store owner, absorbed tariff costs to retain employees, reducing profits by 10%.
The situation shows a broader trend of cautious consumer spending and rising operational costs.

1 / 2