In the next edition of Grant Thornton’s series on trending international insights, we examine how disruption can offer the mid-market an opportunity to grow and differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Instability has come to define the global business landscape. Today, business leaders face an unprecedented array of both routine operational challenges and unpredictable global or regional shocks – challenging their ability to function and grow. From infrastructure breakdowns and cyberattacks to climate disasters and volatile shifts in global trade, disruption has become a daily reality.
The economic toll of this instability and disruption is staggering. Cybercrime alone is projected to cost the global economy $1.2 trillion annually by the end of this year1 – a figure that dwarfs even major infrastructure failures. The power outage that plunged Spain and Portugal into darkness in April cost an estimated €1.6 billion ($1.82 billion).2
These events underscore the growing vulnerability of modern enterprises, especially as global interconnectivity deepens reliance on critical supply chains and complex tech networks. In this environment, the capacity to adapt and stay ahead of disruption is now a critical differentiator – and a strategic advantage.
And that advantage matters more than ever. With 53.9% of mid-market firms identifying sector competitiveness as a constraint on growth, according to our latest International Business Report (IBR) research. Businesses that can anticipate, absorb, and adapt with confidence are better positioned to protect assets, maintain customer trust, and seize opportunities – while competitors scramble to recover.
This year, three key forces have exposed vulnerabilities across systems, supply chains and global markets. These are the areas mid-market businesses are most focused on – and where strategic investment is driving growth through disruption.
Reliable tech infrastructure is essential, but cyber threats are escalating. Our latest IBR research shows that 55.4% of mid-market firms are concerned about cybersecurity and digital risk – the highest level since tracking began in Q1 2024.
And the risks are real – ransomware attacks on UK retailers earlier this year caused one supermarket estimated losses of £300 million.3 While a global car manufacturer was forced to shut down systems and halt production worldwide, putting jobs at risk and causing chaos throughout the supply chain and retailer network.4
Our IBR research shows firms aren’t standing still – 68.0% of mid-market firms are investing in technology, with over half (55.3%) prioritising cyber security upgrades. They’re also using tech to fuel transformation.
These investments signal a shift from a base line of defence to opportunity. Firms are building smarter, more agile systems, not just to withstand disruption, but to grow through it. As the connectivity and power of systems and processes continues to increase, the investment and attention required by mid-market firms to keep pace should not be underestimated.
Extreme weather is no longer a distant threat; it’s a growing and immediate challenge for mid-market firms. From floods and wildfires to heatwaves and hurricanes, these events are disrupting operations, damaging infrastructure, and threatening supply chains. Our latest IBR research shows that 49.2% of firms now see environmental concerns as a constraint on growth – up 3.2 percentage points since Q2 2025. And the financial impact is escalating.
In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported 27 major weather and climate disasters last year, costing approximately $182.7 billion.5 January’s wildfires in Los Angeles alone are estimated to have caused $250-275 billion in economic losses.6
With such events becoming more frequent and more unpredictable, the effects can range from damage to physical infrastructure and logistics to an increase in insurance and recovery costs and an erosion of customer confidence – showing that together the impact is even more far reaching.
In response, firms are recognising that sustainability isn’t just about risk management or responsibility – it’s about resilience and competitive edge. While most mid-market firms are maintaining or increasing their investment in sustainable initiatives, as seen in our report Scaling sustainability, 41.6% cite market competition as a key driver. This shows that sustainability is becoming a strategic lever – not just to keep pace, but to stand out and grow in a disrupted world.
Effective supply chains are the life blood of mid-market operations, but they’re under increasing strain. From geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies and trade routes, to climate disruption and logistical bottlenecks, firms are facing a growing number of challenges that threaten the flow of goods, services, and information.
Our latest IBR research shows that 48.7% of mid-market firms see supply chains and complex procurement systems as a constraint on growth. This year’s wave of new tariff regimes has forced many businesses to rapidly reconfigure supply routes, source alternative suppliers, and enter new markets – often with little warning.
The impact is already being felt:
These disruptions are not just logistical, they’re strategic. Delays, shortages and rising costs can erode margins, damage customer relationships, and stall innovation. And in a post-globalisation era, where trade is increasingly fragmented, agility and adaptability are key.
Firms that can navigate complexity through a detailed understanding of their supply chains, maintain and grow a range of supply relationships and build flexibility into their procurement strategies will be better equipped to thrive. Our Trade in transition article outlines a five-point plan to help firms strengthen supply chains and turn disruption into opportunity.
As the environment mid-market business leaders operate in is set to be continually fractured, firms must build resilience and evolve. The nature of disruption – both daily and deeply unpredictable – requires a new kind of agility. Those able to maintain operations, pivot quickly, and spot new opportunities amid the chaos will gain a competitive edge. In a world where disruption is constant, adaptability is the new currency of success - and differentiation is how firms can now shape disruption to their advantage. Those that are too slow to change will quickly get left behind.
Look out for more regular content in our “Trending Topics” series. For more tailored support or guidance on navigating the disruptive environment for your own business, connect our International Business Contact.
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1The True Cost of Cybercrime: Why Global Damages Could Reach $1.2 - $1.5 Trillion by End of Year 2025 - Cyber Defense Magazine
2https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/post-blackout-spain-portugal-companies-count-cost-2025-04-29/
3https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93llkg4n51o
4https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdjn0lv64ro
52024: An active year of U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters | NOAA Climate.gov
6Estimated cost of fire damage balloons to more than $250 billion - Los Angeles Times