For many SMEs, the success of the business has been built on the expertise, relationships and commitment of its owner. This entrepreneurial approach has been instrumental in the growth of many of Gibraltar's successful businesses. However, as organisations develop, dependence on a single individual can become a strategic risk.

Imports including medicines, fresh produce and other commercial goods faced significant delays as businesses and Customs adjusted to the Treaty’s new frontier procedures, with some freight reportedly held since the arrangements began on 15 July. The disruption is the clearest early warning that documentation errors and unfamiliar processes can quickly affect stock availability, perishable goods and operating costs across Gibraltar’s retail and wholesale sectors.

For many, summer offers something that's in short supply during the rest of the year: space. Space to learn, think differently, meet new people and recharge before the final push towards year-end. If you're looking to make the most of the season, here are three ways to return in September with fresh ideas, renewed energy and a few new connections.

Over the past two years, I must have written more words about the Treaty than almost any other subject. Through the Thrive EDIT, I've tried to cut through the politics and focus on what really matters to Gibraltar's business community. We've unpacked customs guidance, explained residency proposals, questioned support measures, covered Government announcements, highlighted members' concerns and, where necessary, asked awkward questions on your behalf. The aim has always been the same: to make one of the biggest economic changes in Gibraltar's history feel just a little easier to understand.

At the GFSB, we believe membership should deliver real value. That means more than simply representing businesses around the table. It means creating opportunities to learn, connect and grow. Since September 2025, we've delivered 34 events attended by 1,329 members and guests, with the vast majority offered free of charge as part of GFSB membership. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, grow your network or stay ahead of the issues shaping Gibraltar's business landscape, our events are designed to make doing business that little bit easier.

This month marks a deadline that a lot of small business owners did not see coming. As of 1st July 2026, 'Small' employers in Gibraltar, businesses with between 15 and 50 staff, are now legally required to be compliant with the Private Sector Pensions Act. Micro employers, those with under 15 staff, follow next year. With that in mind, we thought it would be useful to step back and explain, in plain English, what the Act requires, who it applies to, and what businesses should do if they have not yet taken action.

This week’s budget addresses have been lengthy and detailed, but there has been a lot of politicking too. Here, we strip away the banter, and break down what we think businesses need to know, and the issues they need to think about.

Conflicting advice around EORI requirements is leaving some importers unsure what they need to do before Treaty implementation. We explore where the confusion lies, what obtaining an EORI actually involves, the practical questions businesses are still asking, and why clearer, consistent guidance for freight forwarders and customs agents could make all the difference.

That morning coffee might be telling us more than we realise. As Gibraltar prepares for Treaty-related change and rising business costs, we explore how behavioural psychology shapes the way customers spend, why habits quietly become decisions, and what local businesses can do to keep delivering value when every purchase starts to feel more considered.

When people look for a local business, they often start with Google. They may search for “coffee near me”, “accountant Gibraltar”, “hairdresser open now”, “restaurant Ocean Village”, “plumber near me” or simply type the name of a business they have heard about. In many cases, the first thing they see is not the business’s website. It is the Google Business Profile.