Industries
Industries We Monitor
Wholesale and Retail at a glance
The wholesale and retail market consists of sales of retail and wholesale services and related goods by entities (organisations, sole traders, and partnerships) that provide goods in convenient quantities and locations. The wholesale and retail market, a vital component of the UK’s economy, has demonstrated remarkable resilience during 2023-2024. The sector, which encompasses sales of retail and wholesale services and related goods by various entities, maintained a Gross Value Added (GVA) of approximately 202.6 billion British pounds in 2023. This performance underscores the sector’s robustness, even as it navigates the complexities of a dynamic economic landscape (Statista, 2024).
Beyond its financial impact, the retail and wholesale sector is a significant employer. In 2023, it employed approximately 4.9 million people in the UK (Statista, 2023). The rise in job adverts signalled
a sustained demand for a skilled workforce, reflecting the sector’s adaptability and ongoing growth (Indeed, 2024; Statista, 2024; Indeed, 2024). Despite economic pressures, the sector has shown resilience with a growth in business numbers. However, the retail sector faced challenges, with nearly 15,000 jobs lost in 2023 due to businesses restructuring operations and cutting costs (Retail Times, 2023; The Guardian, 2023).
The industry is transforming digitally, leveraging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics to improve customer experience, streamline operations, and create new business models (McKinsey & Company, 2020:2023).
Challenges and opportunities for industry operators
What needs to be dealt with
· Compliance Requirements
· Technology Integration
· Data Security
· Labour Market Challenges
(Rodl & Partners, 2024; Morning Star, 2024)
What you can focus on
· Leverage Financial Options
· Improve Access to Finance
· Focus on Capital and Automation
· Energy Efficiency and Cyber Security (Make UK, 2024)
Sector Performance
UK wholesale trade revenue was £859.6 billion for Q4 2023, contributing to the annual total trade value of £1,746.6 billion ending March 2024
Great Britain’s retail sales in February were about £36.92 billion
The wholesale and retail sector’s employment figures in 2023 stood at around 4.9 million in the UK
Challenges and opportunities for industry operators
What needs to be dealt with
• Compliance Requirements
• Technology Integration
• Data Security
• Labour Market Challenges
(Rodl & Partners, 2024; Morning Star, 2024)
What you can focus on
• Leverage Financial Options
• Improve Access to Finance
• Focus on Capital and Automation
• Energy Efficiency and Cyber Security
(Make UK, 2024)
Manufacturing at a glance
The UK manufacturing industry is anticipated to stagnate in 2024, following a year of minimal growth and continued challenges. According to Make UK’s Manufacturing Outlook 2024 Q1 survey, the sector is expected to grow only by 0.1% this year and improve slightly to 0.8% in 2025, remaining below the overall GDP growth forecast for the economy. Despite these modest growth projections, confidence among manufacturers remains robust, with increases in investment and recruitment intentions compared
to the end of 2023. However, the industry still grapples with significant challenges, including demand fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and a volatile geopolitical environment (Make UK, 2024).
The manufacturing sector contributes significantly to the UK economy, accounting for 9.3% of total economic output (Gross Value Added) and 8.1% of employment as of October–December 2023 (UK Parliament, 2024). Manufacturing output has shown some resilience, with a 0.3% rise between February and March 2024, following an increase of 1.3% between January and February (UK Parliament, 2024). The three-month average output to March 2024 was 1.4% higher than in the previous three-month period ending December 2023 and 2.1% higher than the prior year. However, growth across manufacturing sub- groups has been mixed, with 5 out of 13 sub-sectors experiencing growth (UK Parliament, 2024).
Domestic and export orders are expected to improve in 2024, though the sector must navigate underlying regional and sectoral imbalances, with regions like the South East and Wales outperforming others. Additionally, the industry faces potential supply chain issues and energy market disruptions, making resilience a crucial focus for manufacturers. Although energy prices have started to decline, they remain above pre-pandemic levels, posing ongoing cost pressures for the energy-intensive manufacturing industry (Make UK, 2024).