Better Business / Member news
Operational inefficiencies every Bristol business should review in 2026
A new year brings renewed ambition for every business. Our Better Business member, Unyfi, wanted to share operational insights to help your business start the year right.
Whether you’re running an independent cafe on North Street, scaling a fast-growing enterprise in Temple Quarter, or managing a manufacturing operation in Avonmouth, January is the ideal moment to pause and consider one crucial question:
How much are operational inefficiencies costing your business?
Below, Unyfi outlined three areas that commonly drain resources – often without even businesses realising it.
Unyfi has outlined three areas that commonly drain resources
1. Energy procurement: The most overlooked strategic opportunity
Energy continues to be one of the highest controllable costs for Bristol businesses, yet it’s common to see organisations:
- Paying for default tariffs that are significantly above market rate
- Purchase energy without comparing all suppliers in the market
- Miss opportunities to secure a contract at the right market position
- Lack clarity on renewable energy options
Strategic energy procurement not only reduces costs but also improves long-term resilience and sustainability.
2. Waste management: The invisible cost hiding in plain sight
Bristol is proudly known as one of the UK’s greenest cities. Yet behind the scenes, many organisations still operate with waste contracts that are outdated, inflexible or poorly optimised, resulting in:
- Inconsistent recycling practices that drive up disposal fees and don’t align with sustainability goals
- Over-servicing or under-servicing, meaning you’re paying for collections you don’t need, or paying for unnecessary overweight costs
- Being stuck in a long auto-renewing contract, which is no longer competitive and doesn’t meet the current waste requirements
3. Merchant services: the small percentages that quietly erode margins
In a city thriving with independent retailers, cafés and hospitality venues, merchant services remain one of the most impactful overheads. Many Bristol businesses still face:
- Uncompetitive processing fees chipping away at profit margins
- Confusing statements that make it difficult to identify hidden charges
- Outdated technology and functionality, which offer little flexibility for seasonal changes
Because fees are shown in fractions of a per cent, they’re often ignored, but will add up throughout the year. A review of your card payment solution can result in significant savings.
“January is the ideal moment to pause and consider one crucial question: How much are operational inefficiencies costing your business?”
Review your core operations: How Unyfi supports Bristol businesses
Unyfi works directly with Bristol organisations to optimise core operational services – helping them cut costs, improve service quality and build more sustainable business operations.
As a Bristol24/7 Better Business member, they are committed to helping businesses as a procurement partner. They connect organisations with trusted suppliers and deliver tailored solutions across:
- Waste management
- Merchant services
- Energy procurement
With expertise in these three complex areas, Unyfi offers Bristol businesses peace of mind, knowing everything is streamlined, transparent and all in hand.
Ready to make your operations more efficient in 2026?
Speak to Unyfi’s Bristol-based team today and discover how much you could save.
More more information, visit www.unyfi.co.uk/contact
Unyfi are member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business
All photos: Unyfi
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