Biggest Industries by Revenue in the UK in 2021

1. Supermarkets in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $189.9B

Changing shopping habits, the aggressive expansion of discount supermarkets and increased external competition have all influenced industry performance over the past five years. Prices have been cut by the largest operators since the start of the price war in a highly competitive environment. The national lockdowns and closure of the hospitality sector due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in the current year has driven a reliance on supermarkets to supply the nation with food throughout disruptions caused by government restrictions. Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2020-21.

Discounters supermarkets... Learn More

2. Pension Funding in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $155.9B

The Pension Funding industry comprises defined benefit (DB) schemes and defined contribution (DC) schemes. Over the past decade, the industry has been transformed by the ongoing shift from DB to DC schemes, which in 2021-22 are estimated to account for 61% and 39% of total industry assets respectively. Industry revenue, which is calculated by combining contributions and investment returns, has increased over the past five years. The increase in contributions was fuelled by the phased introduction of automatic enrolment in pension schemes, which began in October 2012 and was fully phased in by February 2018. Record high levels of employment... Learn More

3. Construction Contractors in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $121.8B

Operators in the Construction Contractors industry are active across the building construction and civil engineering markets. While, by broad definition, operators are remunerated for completing new building and infrastructure construction contracts, or for fulfilling maintenance, repair, renovation and remodelling contract obligations, the spectrum of services offered by civils and general building contractors in this industry is multifaceted. Some contractors focus on the construction of new dwellings, while civil engineering specialists afford clients services across the infrastructure value chain. Some contractors specialise in commercial building activity, while many independent contractors may focus on small-scale maintenance contracts in local markets.

Prior to the... Learn More

4. Banks in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $112.0B

Retail and commercial banks generate most of their revenue by charging interest on loans, while a secondary source of revenue is represented by non-interest income from card fees and overdraft fees. Over the five years through 2021-22, industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 2% to £99.8 billion. The low-interest-rate environment of the past five years has limited the interest earned by banks from loans, negatively affecting income. Economic uncertainty since the EU referendum restricted demand from home mortgages, while subdued business confidence reduced demand for commercial loans. In addition, a stricter regulatory environment, including... Learn More

5. New Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $98.4B

Revenue in the New Car and Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry has fallen over the past five years. In 2016-17, demand for new cars was aided by rising disposable incomes, high consumer confidence and the continued availability of financing deals, which boosted revenue by 3.6%. However, a period of economic uncertainty since the EU referendum has contributed to a fall in new car sales. This was compounded by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that meant dealerships were closed for much of 2020-21, leading to a sharp drop in revenue. Revenue is anticipated to fall at a compound annual rate of 6.4%... Learn More

6. Hospitals in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $96.8B

The Hospitals industry provides medical, diagnostic and treatment services at general and specialised hospitals. A growing and ageing population has increased demand, but public healthcare budgets have failed to keep pace with this, which has aided demand for private hospitals as a greater number of patients seek private treatment. Over the five years through 2020-21, revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 1.6% to reach £101 billion.

The National Health Service (NHS) has suffered the slowest decade of spending growth in its existence, while inpatient admissions have risen and the total number of beds available has declined.... Learn More

7. General Insurance in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $70.9B

Businesses in this industry underwrite general insurance policies relating to property, casualty, liability, motor vehicles and other general risks. The premiums they earn from these activities are then invested to generate additional income. The industry provides services to both private and commercial clients. Underwriting life and disability do not fall within this industry, although general health insurance does.

Over the five years through 2021-22, industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 0.4%. At the start of the period, investment income faltered as bond yields were constrained due to Bank of England interest rate decreases and corporate... Learn More

8. Management Consultants in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $61.5B

The Management Consultants industry covers a broad range of consulting services, including strategic and organisational planning, marketing, IT, human resource consulting and business process management. Over the five years through 2020-21, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.6% to reach £64.1 billion. This growth has been largely driven by rising demand for IT consulting services. In addition, regulatory changes in the financial services sector, the industry's largest downstream market, have benefited the industry, as banks and other financial institutions have required assistance to reformulate business strategies and operations in order to comply with new... Learn More

9. Pharmaceutical Wholesaling in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $61.1B

The pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain is characterised by extreme change. The loss of patent protection for several high-profile drugs hampered performance because it tends to lower the revenue generated from such drugs. Increasingly stringent regulation has encouraged greater consumption of generic medicines and intensified downward pricing pressures. Despite this, opportunities for growth remain. In response to rising competitive pressures, some operators have consolidated or merged to extend their role within the pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain, and to increase their product portfolios and geographical presence. Pharmaceutical wholesalers have also benefited from an expanding and ageing population.

Over the five years... Learn More

10. Computer Consultants in the UK

Revenue for 2021: $55.9B

The Computer Consultants industry is composed of businesses that provide expert advice and assistance in planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication technologies. Computer consultants provide services to clients in all sectors of the economy, although clients within the financial services sector and the public sector are particularly important markets. Demand for industry services is largely influenced by business confidence levels, which rise and fall with general economic conditions, and technological advancements, particularly those that are beneficial to businesses.

With the exception of a plateau in the current year caused by the global economic slowdown generated... Learn More