Taking Stock 2025

In 2025, consumer brands and retailers are working to recover from years of disruption, and navigate through changeable conditions. While inflation is easing and wages are starting to grow, the retail environment remains uncertain. Trade tensions, rising costs, and global challenges are still affecting how businesses operate. This year’s Taking Stock report looks at the key economic, consumer, and legal trends shaping the UK consumer & retail sector. It offers practical insights to help brands and retailers stay flexible, meet changing customer needs, and plan for what’s ahead.

Key findings:

• Economic outlook: covering economic stabilisation and the road to recovery.
• Changing consumer behaviour: Shifts in spending including the rise of recommerce, the growing influence of generative AI and the impact of new online disruptors.
• Regulatory and compliance pressures: Brands face growing challenges from regulations including sustainability, data and consumer protection, along with retail crime.
• Global trade tensions: New US tariffs and retaliatory measures are disrupting supply chains, increasing costs, and weakening global demand.