Fastest Declining Industries in the UK by Revenue Growth (%) in 2020

1. Hard Coal Mining in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -20.0%

In global terms, the United Kingdom is a minor producer of coal. Production has fallen sharply since the early 1970s, plunging when a large number of mines were closed in the mid-1980s. Coal was responsible for over two-thirds of electricity generation in the 1990s, but it is now expected to only generate less than 5% of the UK’s electricity. Over the five years through 2019-20, industry revenue is anticipated to fall at a compound annual rate of 27.7%, as a result of government efforts to phase out the use of coal and volatile coal prices. In the current year, revenue is expected to decline by 20.9% to £140.9 million.Coal releases... Learn More

2. Video & Game Rental in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -19.3%

Industry operators rent physical copies of films, TV programmes and games in stores or over the internet to be delivered by post. The industry does not include the provision of media through streaming services, such as through Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) providers (see IBISWorld report SP0.017), or downloadable games. Following the shift in consumer preference towards streaming services and the subsequent exit of major industry players, the industry has undergone massive structural change and is now highly fragmented.

Over the five years through 2019-20, industry revenue is expected to fall at compound annual rate of 31.3%, although this is distorted... Learn More

3. Solar Panel Installation in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -18.7%

Industry operators install small-scale solar panel systems for households and businesses. The UK solar market has exploded over the past 15 years, with 13,000 megawatts of capacity installed in 2019, compared with just 12 megawatts in 2006. This has been supported by rising public concern regarding environmental issues, and policy support for renewables as the government pursues climate change targets. However, despite recording a strong start, the solar market has stagnated over much of the past five years, as government support for small-scale solar panel installation has contracted. As a result, industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual... Learn More

4. Consumer Electronics Manufacturing in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -11.0%

Over the past five years, the Consumer Electronics Manufacturing industry has been challenged by falling consumer confidence and international competitiveness. This has affected all segments of the industry, including electronic audio and video equipment for home recording and reproduction; TVs, monitors and displays; video game consoles; public address systems; and amplifiers. However, over the five years through 2018-19, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 0.8% to reach £615.7 million, although this hides a very high level of volatility.

The industry is highly globalised, with imports expected to satisfy almost all domestic demand, as overseas manufacturers... Learn More

5. Headphone Manufacturing in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -8.2%

The Headphone Manufacturing industry is a very small industry, as the manufacture of headphones is predominantly concentrated in Asia, especially China. The industry has a high level of international trade, with exports generating a large chunk of industry revenue and imports satisfying the bulk of domestic demand. However, both imports and exports are inflated due to re-export activity. Industry operators focus on manufacturing premium headphones as they are unable to compete on price with low-cost foreign rivals. Industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 10.4% over the five years through 2019-20. Reductions in domestic manufacturing capacity and... Learn More

6. Newsagents & Stationery Stores in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -6.7%

In the five years through 2019-20, operating conditions have been difficult, largely due to increasing levels of IT and telecommunications adoption which have occurred globally, mostly in the form of smartphone technology. Online retailing of stationery has grown dramatically in this time, while the circulation of newspapers has plummeted. Other external players have increased the variety of produce on offer and reduced their prices. As the Newsagent and Stationery Stores industry has been unable to compete with such prices, it has been left in a state of decline. Industry revenue is forecast to decline at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2019-20. In the current year, revenue is expected to... Learn More

7. Footwear & Leather Goods Repair in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -5.7%

The Footwear and Leather Goods Repair industry is composed of companies that repair or restore footwear, handbags and other leather goods. Over the majority of the past five-year period, industry growth has been constrained by challenging operating conditions. Low-cost imported shoes with thermoplastic soles have led to consumers opting for replacements over repairs. Reduced weekly expenditure on footwear from the highest income quintiles of the population has negatively affected revenue over the past five years. However, weak consumer confidence since the EU referendum has supported demand from the lowest income quintile of the population, as low-income consumers are looking to... Learn More

8. Chemical & Fertiliser Mineral Mining in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -4.8%

The Chemical and Fertiliser Mineral Mining industry has been subject to volatile conditions over the past five years. The industry transitioned to the production of polyhalite which led to a substantial reduction in potash prices and significant revenue decline. As a result, industry revenue is forecast to decrease at a compound annual rate of 19.2% to reach £73.8 million over the five years through 2019-20. This includes an estimated decline of 5.9% in the current year.

The industry has undergone considerable changes as the largest industry operator focuses solely on the production of polyhalite, an organic fertiliser which requires no further... Learn More

9. Nightclubs in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -4.6%

Many nightclubs have faced difficult operating conditions over the past five years due to legislation that extended the licensing hours of other drinking establishments. Nightclubs have lost their competitive advantage because late-night revellers can now stay in pubs or bars, many of which offer a wider selection of drinks, lower prices and a more relaxed atmosphere. This has contributed significantly to the industry’s long- term decline.Approximately one-third of nightclubs have closed in the past decade, as operators have struggled to respond to new challenges from regulation, licensing, planning, business rates and policing. Many consumers purchase cheap supermarket alcohol to drink before going out... Learn More

10. Pump Manufacturing in the UK

2019-2020 Revenue Growth: -4.1%

Operators in the Pump Manufacturing industry produce a wide range of pumps for both industrial and domestic applications. Over the past five-year period, operators have endured a challenging operating environment that has weighed on value sales. Overseas manufacturers have expanded their share of domestic demand by improving quality standards while maintaining cost advantages over UK-based manufacturers. Export growth has therefore been crucial for maintaining revenue. However, a downturn in the global oil and gas sector at the beginning of the period, caused by a brent crude oil price crash in 2014, weakened exports over much of the period, which in... Learn More