Retail 2025: UK Retail Predictions—Midyear Update

Published – July 2025

The Coresight Research Retail 2025 series of reports looks ahead to the prospects for retail next year, exploring key trends by geography (namely, the US, the UK, China and India) and sector.

How is UK retail tracking against Coresight Research’s predictions? We provide a midyear review of the six predictions and trends that we outlined for 2025 in our Retail 2025: UK Retail Predictions report (published December 2024).

Understand how UK retail is adapting in a high-cost, low-growth environment—across data, media, margins and consumer behavior.

Read this report to discover answers to these questions:

• How are unified commerce platforms unlocking new value in retail through data integration and omnichannel agility?
• What’s driving the surge in in-store retail media, and how are grocers like Sainsbury’s and Tesco executing at scale?
• Which retailers are monetizing proprietary technologies and IP—and why is this opportunity limited to a select few?
• How are digital tools, AI (artificial intelligence) agents and automation reshaping both store-based and e-commerce shopping experiences?
• What are the consumer behaviors shaping UK retail in 2025—from caution around inflation to the impact of GLP-1 adoption?

Introduction

UK Retail Predictions Midyear Update: Coresight Research Analysis

1. Data Integration Through United Commerce Will Provide the Foundations of Data Monetization Businesses
2. Retail Media Expansion Will Support Adoption of In-Store Technology
3. More Retailers Will Monetize Their IP, Supporting the Leadership of Selected Major Players
4. Digital Tools Will Close the “Friction Gap” Between Stores and E-Commerce
5. Consumers Will Retain Cautious Stance Amid Further Inflationary Risks
6. GLP-1 Adoption To “Democratize” Healthier Living

What We Think

• The Coresight Research View on the UK Consumer Economy
• Implications from This Report

Notes and Methodology

• Selected Sources and Further Reading

8-page PDF report

Aldi, Amazon, B&M, IKEA, John Lewis Partnership, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Next, Ocado, Poundland, Primark, Sainsbury’s, Shein, Temu, Tesco