Industries with the Biggest Increase in Profit Margin in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Live Animal Wholesaling in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 6.8pp

  The UK live animal wholesaling industry is currently benefitting from buoyant revenue, as sustained high livestock prices, driven by the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war, have underpinned industry turnover. Global feed and energy market disruption has translated directly into higher auction prices, ensuring that wholesalers who can secure supply or move stock efficiently are seeing top-line gains. Despite this uplift, operating conditions are far from easy. There was a sharp slump in export ...

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• 2. Music Downloading & Streaming Services in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 6.6pp

  Music streaming services have emerged as the foremost music content distribution service over the past decade, replacing physical and digital purchases. The dominance of the largest streaming providers has swelled, spearheaded by Spotify, although some smaller music streaming platforms have found success in offering niche services. Streaming providers have also expanded their offerings in order to keep hold of subscribers in an increasingly competitive environment, including tiered subscripti...

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• 3. Painting in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 6.1pp

   The UK painting industry is entering a new phase of opportunity, buoyed by government-backed housebuilding schemes and an expanding commercial property market. Over the five years through 2025-26, revenue is anticipated to slump at a compound annual rate of 2.9%, with revenue expected to drop by 5.4% in the current year to £3.5 billion. Subdued activity in the wake of higher inflation, contracting real disposable incomes and a slump in residential property transactions are threatening revenu...

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• 4. Radiator & Boiler Manufacturing in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 5.8pp

  Over the five years through 2025-26, the UK boiler and radiator manufacturing industry's revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 4.6%. Climbing revenue is the result of shifting consumer preferences toward high-efficiency and smart heating solutions, as well as an increasingly stringent regulatory landscape that has compelled manufacturers to accelerate their investment in research and development. Revenue is projected to dip modestly by 3.1% in 2025-26 to £1.9 billion. Profi...

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• 5. Television Programming & Broadcasting in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 5.3pp

  Following the switch to digital TV, the TV programming industry now has thousands of channels and is dominated by subscription packages. TV broadcasters have benefitted from the lower cost of operating channels online, though streaming services have intensified competition. The spread of channels across multiple platforms has offset a drop in ad spending on TV in the UK, which has weighed on the industry's revenue. With the proliferation of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon ...

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• 6. Electricity & Telecommunications Infrastructure Construction in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 4.5pp

  The industry relies on public sector investment to maintain and expand electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. The essential nature of this infrastructure ensures a consistent stream of work, including repair and maintenance. Ofgem’s Revenue = Incentives + Innovation + Outputs (RIIO) price control cycles provide a framework for energy network companies to invest efficiently in new infrastructure. RIIO-2, running between April 2021 and March 2026, has already overseen vast electrici...

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• 7. Building Project Development in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 4.4pp

  The financial and operational success of property development markets depends on a range of socio-economic factors, including property values, market sentiment and credit conditions. Project developers are reliant on strong downstream business sentiment and construction output, which in turn dictate demand for their developments. Severe supply chain disruptions and lingering inflationary pressure, causing elevated borrowing costs, have led to a decline in business confidence and a slump in tr...

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• 8. Estate Agents in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 4.0pp

  The Estate Agents industry is mostly made up of many small companies that operate locally, attracting customers through their expert regional knowledge. However, a few larger estate agents, like Connells Group, Savills and LSL Property Services, operate throughout the UK, leveraging their brand power and global resources to capture more of the market.

  Estate agent revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2025-26 to £15.2 billion, includi...

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• 9. Electricity Distribution in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 4.0pp

  Electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) operate regional monopolies, so pricing in the industry is heavily regulated by Ofgem in Great Britain and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) in Northern Ireland. In the United Kingdom, there are currently 15 different DNOs managed by six operators and 19 independent distribution network operators (IDNOs) working primarily to connect new housing, commercial and industrial premises to existing networks.

  Revenue...

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• 10. Tour Operators in the UK

  Percentage Point Increase for 2026: 3.9pp

  For many people, holidays are the highlight of their year, but they still hold their status as a luxury. As a result, the UK’s economic climate significantly affects tour bookings. Customers tend to cut back on holiday spending when their finances are constrained. Travel has remained resilient to cost-of-living pressures as many Brits prioritise a holiday over all other discretionary spending. Value-for-money tours and packages have risen in popularity as travellers look for the best deals to...

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