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SearchThe Geopost Business Barometer 2026, based on a survey of 3,600 SMEs in 21 countries, finds more domestic and European sourcing, although extra-EU sourcing is also growing in Italy. Delivery reliability stands out as a factor in business continuity.
European small and medium-sized enterprises are combining traditional and digital channels to find suppliers, while reviewing the geographical reach of their purchasing amid an uncertain environment. Notable changes include the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the selection process and a stronger focus on domestic and European suppliers. For Italian companies, the shift is not exclusively regional: sourcing from outside the EU is also increasing, according to the findings of the Geopost Business Barometer 2026.
The report is based on a survey of 3,600 SMEs in 21 European countries and six sectors. Its data describe the responses of the companies surveyed; on their own, they do not constitute a forecast of future behaviour across all SMEs.
15% of the European SMEs surveyed use AI tools to find suppliers. In Italy, the proportion reaches 18%. The tool is used primarily to identify potential candidates, as part of a search that combines digital methods with sales visits, calls and recommendations.
On average, European SMEs use 2.3 sourcing channels, almost one more than in 2024, according to the barometer. In Italy, supplier searches retain a relatively strong personal element: 45% use sales representatives, compared with the European average of 35%, and 35% rely on word of mouth, compared with 27% in Europe.
AI adoption does not displace the basic purchasing criteria. In Europe, price and product quality remain central; delivery capacity is also among the factors companies consider. In Italy, the study finds that quality and price carry similar weight in supplier selection.
Across Europe, 84% of the SMEs surveyed buy from suppliers in their own country, up eight percentage points from 2024. 72% also source from other European countries, an increase of four points. These figures may overlap: they describe companies that may use suppliers from more than one area, not mutually exclusive categories.
In Italy, domestic sourcing stands at 86%, after rising 14 points compared with 2024. However, Italian companies are not abandoning relationships outside the EU: the barometer also records a ten-point increase in sourcing from outside the EU. The picture in Italy therefore combines a stronger local focus with a growing presence of suppliers from outside the Union, rather than showing a uniform shift towards the domestic market.
Across Europe, 20% of SMEs say they have reduced international deliveries for geopolitical reasons. In Italy, the reported proportion is 13%. The figure reflects responses about changes associated with that specific reason and does not allow us to conclude that all companies are reducing their international exposure.
Logistics emerges as a dimension of the supplier relationship, not merely as a stage after purchase. 86% of European SMEs consider delivery essential to their business success, and nearly half link it to operational continuity. According to the barometer, companies value aspects such as punctuality, careful handling of shipments, incident resolution and process visibility.
In Italy, delivery stands out among the criteria for choosing a supplier. Another report on the findings puts the share of companies identifying it as a key factor at 43%, ahead of price (36%) and quality (35%). These percentages describe the responses captured in that ranking and do not mean that price and quality no longer matter: the report itself also indicates that both continue to carry considerable weight in selection.
Stefania Pezzetti, Chief Executive Officer of BRT, said that SMEs are adopting more advanced models to manage complexity and uncertainty. In her view, AI broadens search opportunities, while geopolitical tensions are prompting companies to review their supply chains; for this reason, she said, reliability, visibility and logistical adaptability are important for sustaining continuity and supporting business growth.
Commissioned by Geopost, the barometer provides a snapshot of the priorities declared by the SMEs surveyed in Europe and Italy. Its findings point to more diversified sourcing strategies: companies combine suppliers from different geographical areas with different search channels, while placing importance on predictable and reliable deliveries.
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