Call it the “silver tsunami.”
Waves of aging small business owners are planning to retire over the next 10 years, according to new data from the 2026 Zelle Small Business Pulse Report, released on April 27.
Main Street Braces for ‘Silver Tsunami’ as Small Business Owners Plan for Retirement
Sixty percent of small business owners do not have a formal succession plan, while 41 percent would permanently close their doors if they cannot find a buyer.
A pawnshop advertising sign greets customers outside of Phenix City, Alabama, on April 7, 2026. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
