In 2024, agriculture contributed around 0.56 percent to the United Kingdom’s GDP, 16.74 percent came from the manufacturing industry, and 72.79 percent from the services sector. The UK is not a farmer’s marketThe vast majority of the UK’s GDP is generated by the services sector, and tourism in particular keeps the economy going. In 2017, almost 214 billion British Pounds were contributed to the GDP through travel and tourism – about 277 billion U.S. dollars – and the forecasts see an upwards trend. For comparison, only an estimated 10.3 billion GBP were generated by the agriculture sector in the same year. But is it a tourist’s destination still? Though forecasts are not in yet, it is unclear whether travel and tourism can keep the UK’s economy afloat in the future, especially after Brexit and all its consequences. Higher travel costs, having to wait for visas, and overall more complicated travel arrangements are just some of the concerns tourists have when considering vacationing in the UK after Brexit. Consequences of the referendum are already observable in the domestic travel industry: In 2017, about 37 percent of British travelers said Brexit caused them to cut their holidays short by a few days, and about 14 percent said they did not leave the UK for their holidays because of it.

Compass Group had by far the highest number of global employees among companies based in the United Kingdom as of 2025, at approximately 500,000 employees. Tesco had the second-highest number of employees at around 336,400, followed by HSBC Holdings which had 211,000 employees. In the same year, HSBC Holdings had an annual revenue of 142.3 billion U.S. dollars, the third-highest among UK-based companies. The oil and gas giant Shell had the highest annual revenue at over 283 billion dollars, ahead of BP at 189 billion dollars. How many businesses are there in the UK? In 2024, there were approximately 5.5 million business enterprises in the UK, down from a peak of 5.98 million in 2020. Although there were just 1,930 large firms that employed 1,000 people or more, these firms employed more than a quarter of the UK's private sector workforce, and made a combined turnover of approximately 1.69 trillion British pounds. As of this year, the construction industry had the highest number of enterprises by sector, at over 870,000. The sector with the most workers was that of wholesale and retail, which collectively employed just under 4.9 million people in 2024, and also had the highest turnover compared to other sectors, at over 1.8 trillion pounds. Current UK economic climate Although the UK economy is expected to grow in 2025, growth has been downgraded from earlier forecasts, while inflation and unemployment are expected to be higher than initially thought. According to the business confidence index, sentiment among businesses at the end of 2024 was lower than it has been since early 2021. Furthermore, since the start of 2025, businesses have been shedding jobs at an accelerating rate, possibly due to recent tax rises, which was seen as the main external concern of businesses in early 2025. The precarious state of the UK's government finances, and potential tax rises in the next budget, are also likely feeding into this pessimistic mood.

Shell had the highest annual revenue of all companies based in the United Kingdom in 2025, at approximately 284 billion U.S. dollars. BP had the second-highest annual revenue at over 189 billion dollars, followed by HSBC Holdings, which had a revenue of around 142 billion U.S. dollars. In terms of global employee numbers, however, Compass Group had the highest number among UK-based businesses, at approximately half a million in 2024, followed by Tesco at 336,400 and HSBC at almost 211,000. Big Oil, a banking giant, and Britain's top supermarket chain The two companies listed as having the most revenue in the UK this year are also two of the biggest oil and gas companies in the world, alongside Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies. After a huge surge in energy prices in 2022, these companies saw their profits recede slightly in 2023, but clearly remain in strong financial positions as of 2024. HSBC Holdings, meanwhile, was the largest bank in Europe in terms of market capitalization, and was estimated to have the second-highest number of UK-based customers in 2024. The company with the fourth-highest revenue in this year, Tesco has by some distance the largest grocery-market share in Great Britain, a position it has maintained despite growing competition from discounters like Lidl and Aldi. UK economy health check In the first quarter of 2025, the UK economy grew by 0.7 percent, emerging from a brief slowdown in growth towards the end of 2024. Consumer Price inflation, has, however, started to increase, with the inflation rate reaching 3.5 percent in April, the highest rate since January 2024. Furthermore, the UK labor market is showing signs of weakness, with quite a high number of job losses since the start of the year. Alongside these generally negative signs, business confidence in the UK has been falling, with the main concern of UK firms being that of taxation, as of early 2025.

This report presents key information and issues for all the leading companies in the global food industry for business intelligence requirements. It also provides information on business operations, history, major products and services, prospects, key competitors, key employees, locations and subsidiaries for the companies featured within the report. In addition, the report also provides strengths, weaknesses, opportunities (growth potential) and threats (competition) for all the leading companies in the industry. All strategic and operational business information is objectively reported. Read More

This report presents key information and issues for all the leading companies in the global retailers industry for business intelligence requirements. It also provides information on business operations, history, major products and services, prospects, key competitors, key employees, locations and subsidiaries for the companies featured within the report. In addition, the report also provides strengths, weaknesses, opportunities (growth potential) and threats (competition) for all the leading companies in the industry. All strategic and operational business information is objectively reported. Read More

Over the five years through 2024-25, iron and steel manufacturing revenue is expected to dip at a compound annual rate of 3.3% to £7.2 billion. Heaps of cheap steel on the global market have undercut British prices and caused big trade partners like the EU to institute import quotas. Unable to lower prices because of high labour costs and environmental charges, industry giants like British Steel and Tata Steel have stated a need for government intervention to continue operating. Both companies are also moving away from blast furnace operations to invest in greener electric arc furnaces, marking a complete industry shift. Tata Steel closed its Port Talbot site in September 2024, marking the end of traditional steelmaking in Wales and the switch to its electric arc furnace, which is set to begin operations in 2028. British Steel is preparing to close its Lincolnshire blast furnace site before the end of 2024-25. However, ongoing discussions with the government over the size of the support package for British Steel’s transition could delay the closure. The industry has been wracked by volatility. Metal prices dropped during 2020-21 as the COVID-19 pandemic slashed downstream demand for iron and steel. However, as manufacturing and construction activity started recovering in 2021-22, iron and steel prices soared as production failed to keep up, causing a global undersupply of steel. This massively raised revenue in 2021-22, driving up profitability. Steel prices started to dip in 2022-23, bringing down iron and steel manufacturers’ revenue. In 2024-25, revenue is set to dip by 2.9% owing to a slump in sales volumes in the second half of the year, resulting from the 2024 Autumn Budget denting business confidence and slashing construction and manufacturing new orders. This will coincide with iron and steel prices continuing to stave off. Profit is expected to remain flat as iron ore, carbon and energy prices continue to normalise, reducing manufacturers’ costs. However, higher wage costs and subdued demand will keep profit low at 1.1% in 2024-25. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is forecast to drop at a compound annual rate of -0.2% to £7 billion. While UK steel manufacturers no longer face tariffs in the US, EU import quotas will stay put, causing significant harm. Despite UK quotas, competition from imports will prevail, especially as China’s manufacturing rebounds. Reduced production from British Steel and Tata Steel as both companies switch to electric arc furnace production will also hinder revenue growth until 2028-29.

This statistic looks at the top 10 FMCG companies which operate and work in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2014. Each company is broken down by sales, profit and market value. Unilever PLC is the leading FMCG company in market value with a total of ****** billion American dollars worth.

The beer and malt production landscape in Europe is fuelled by the continent's storied cultural affinity for the brew and the evolving tastes of its consumers. Currently, Europe has the highest average alcohol consumption globally, with eight of the top 10 drinking nations within its borders, including the Czech Republic, Austria and France, according to data from the CIA. However, there is a drop occurring, with the average European now drinking 9.5 litres of pure alcohol annually — a significant fall of 21% since the turn of the millennium, according to the World Health Organisation. This decline echoes a growing societal awareness of the risks of alcohol excess and a discernible trend towards more responsible consumption practices. This is projected to cause a shrinking of industry revenue at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2024, including a 3.3% drop in 2024 alone, reaching €70.4 billion. Despite falling alcohol consumption, beer has exceeded traditional spirits and wine as the beverage of choice in many European countries. France, a nation renowned for its wine, has seen beer become the more favoured alcoholic drink of choice, according to a 2023 survey by French wine consultancy firm Sowine. These shifts have bolstered the presence of multinational breweries that capitalised on emerging markets and triggered a flourishing microbrewery segment, illustrating a robust appetite for locally crafted beers. The thirst for artisanal brews is strong in many parts of Europe, with countries like Italy, Germany and France experiencing a surge in microbrewery establishments. This is despite a deceleration in certain regions, like the UK and Spain. Health concerns regarding alcohol consumption are predicted to continue driving a downward trend; more governments are set to introduce regulations to curb excessive drinking, like Scotland's minimum pricing strategy, which has successfully curbed alcohol-related harms. There is a burgeoning opportunity for consolidation within the craft beer segment. Multinationals like InBev and Heineken are poised to leverage this inflexion point as the market matures and the growth of independent microbreweries steadies in some regions. They've already begun strategically acquiring artisan brands, a trend which is likely to hasten. Overall, industry revenue is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 3% over the five years through 2029, reaching €81.7 billion .

The United Kingdom Hospitality Industry Segments by Sector (Accommodation, Food and Beverage Service Establishments, and More), by Service Model (Full-Service, Limited / Budget and More), by End-User (Leisure Travellers, Business Travellers and More), by Booking Channel (Direct, Online Travel Agencies, and More), by Ownership Model (Independent Operators and Chain / Branded), by Geography.

Success.ai’s UK B2B Data API empowers sales, marketing, and research teams with instant access to over 10 million verified UK professionals and businesses. Offering a rich array of firmographic details, contact information, and financial data, this API enables you to discover and engage the most relevant prospects, suppliers, or partners in the UK market.

With continuously updated, AI-validated data, you can confidently refine targeting, enrich CRM systems, and make strategic decisions rooted in reliable insights. Supported by our Best Price Guarantee, Success.ai’s UK B2B Data API provides the intelligence and cost-effectiveness needed to thrive in a competitive and fast-moving UK business environment.

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Why Choose Success.ai?

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Poultry meat processors' revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2024-25 to £6.8 billion. The slight fall is due to the avian flu and lockdown restriction, which created supply chain disruption for chicken, hurting sales. However, the industry has managed to bounce back and shows great momentum. This is because chicken continues to be a dietary staple for many UK households due to its versatility in cooking and perceived health benefits. Chicken remains in demand despite price increases thanks to its affordability, providing a steady revenue stream for poultry processors. Its popularity has also helped maintain its stronghold as a preferred option over other types of meat, like beef and lamb. In 2024-25, revenue is expected to increase by 0.3%. Improved consumer sentiment and a more stable economy are boosting demand, particularly in the on-trade segment, with restaurants experiencing increased footfall as consumer confidence rises. Stable input costs due to cooling inflation are also helping to improve supply. However, the industry still faces challenges. Supermarkets' demands for lower stocking density will increase costs for processors. Brexit continues to cause labour shortages and reduce export revenue due to increased checks on exported poultry products. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 0.6% over the five years through 2029-30 to £7 billion. Brexit-related restrictions on free labour movement will continue to limit productivity. While the extended visa scheme will help, a growing focus on ethical consumerism is expected to boost demand for premium, organic products, supporting revenue and profit. Large poultry processors with the capital to enhance capacity and optimise cost efficiencies are likely to perform best. Additionally, easing inflationary pressures is set to drive up demand in the coming years, benefitting poultry processors.

Global Market Share by Key Players

As of 2020, companies in the Netherlands were least optimistic about exports to the United Kingdom, of all export countries. Over ** percent of companies surveyed indicated that they expected the turnover of exports to the UK to decrease, while the share of companies who expected the turnover of exports to Turkey to decline was approximately ** percent in the same year.

The United Kingdom Dairy Market is segmented by Category (Butter, Cheese, Cream, Dairy Desserts, Milk, Sour Milk Drinks, Yogurt) and by Distribution Channel (Off-Trade, On-Trade). Market Value in USD and Volume are both presented. Key Data Points observed include Per capita consumption; Population; and Dairy production.

Rising health consciousness is shaping the Soft Drink Production industry, with consumers increasingly reaching for diet or lower sugar soft drinks. Strong consumer interest, combined with regulatory pressure such as the 2018 Soft Drinks Industry Levy, has driven widespread reformulation as producers adapt their portfolios to meet both legislative requirements and evolving tastes. Soft drink sales are booming in the on-trade segment as consumers increasingly shift away from alcohol, boosting demand for soft drinks. Producers have struggled with escalating input costs, particularly sugar prices, which peaked in August 2024 due to shifting trade dynamics. Soft Drink Production revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 0.7% to £8.7 billion over the five years through 2025-26, with revenue expected to climb by 1.5% in the current year. The shift away from alcohol to soft drinks continues to drive industry revenue, creating opportunities for players to market themselves as premium soft drink producers. Producers are expanding their low-calorie ranges with adventurous flavour profiles to boost appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking novel drink experiences, like IRN-BRU’s launch of a Raspberry Ripple low-calorie variant in March 2024. Surging input costs, including a sharp rise in aluminium prices in March 2025, have squeezed profitability, keeping it below pre-pandemic levels. Larger Soft Drink Producers have been able to leverage strong brand loyalty to pass on these costs through higher prices and shrinking product sizes, though smaller producers struggled. Major players are also using their scale to form strategic partnerships to refresh brand image and boost appeal among younger generations, like Coca-Cola’s partnership with the Premier League. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.7% to £10.4 billion over the five years through 2030-31. Flavour innovation will remain key as producers align with the growing demand for healthier soft drinks. The premium push is set to continue, with brands positioning themselves as alcohol-free beverages that still offer a sense of indulgence. Larger players are expected to use their scale to pass on rising input costs and acquire smaller, nutritional soft drink brands to strengthen their wellness credentials. UK Soft Drink Producers will face mounting environmental pressure as the nation progresses towards net zero, compounded by regulations like the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme launched on 1 January 2025. This will force producers to innovate to remain compliant and attract eco-conscious consumers in the coming years.

The UK data center market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud computing, big data analytics, and the burgeoning digital economy. London, a key hotspot, accounts for a significant portion of this growth, attracting major hyperscale providers and colocation facilities due to its robust digital infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strategic geographic location. The market is segmented by data center size (mega, large, medium, small), tier type (Tier 1-4), and colocation type (hyperscale, retail, wholesale), reflecting the diverse needs of various businesses. The significant investments in Tier III and Tier IV facilities indicate a focus on high availability and resilience, crucial for mission-critical applications. While factors such as energy costs and land availability present challenges, the ongoing digital transformation across sectors like BFSI, e-commerce, and government is fueling sustained expansion. We project a healthy Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the UK data center market, exceeding the global average, reflecting the nation's position as a leading European digital hub. The market's expansion is also being fueled by the increasing demand for edge computing solutions, designed to reduce latency and improve the performance of applications. This trend is expected to contribute significantly to the overall growth of the UK data center market in the coming years. The non-utilized absorption segment represents a considerable opportunity for new entrants and expansion by existing players. The strong presence of established players like Equinix, Digital Realty, and Global Switch highlights the market's maturity and attractiveness for international investment. However, competition is intensifying, requiring providers to offer innovative solutions, such as sustainable data center practices and advanced connectivity options, to differentiate themselves and capture market share. Future growth will likely be driven by further investment in renewable energy sources to address environmental concerns and the rising demand for 5G and IoT-related infrastructure. This will lead to an increasing focus on efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, shaping the future landscape of the UK data center industry. Recent developments include: October 2022: CyrusOne announced that they proposed a new data center in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, UK. The site will have 10 data halls supporting around 90MW of capacity and the project would include a new on-site substation.August 2022: Coltannounced to open a new data center in Hayes, West London, that would more than triple its existing footprint in the UK capital. It will deliver a new purpose-built of 50MW in 2.1-hectare data center campus known as 'London 4'.March 2022: Kao Data announced plans for a second building for its Harlow campus in the UK. The company says construction is now underway on its second 10 MW facility outside London.. Notable trends are: OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT.