In 2024, the UK packaging landscape entered a period of accelerated transformation as sustainability priorities, policy changes and shifting consumer expectations converged. Public awareness of environmental issues, especially plastic pollution, carbon reduction and circularity has intensified, prompting both brands and retailers to move decisively away from traditional virgin plastics. This shift is reinforced by stricter regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees and up

Consumer credit in the UK saw growth across all metrics in 2025, as local consumers continued to borrow to cope with elevated living costs, despite an easing in the rate of inflation.

After a bumpy two years, financial cards and payments in the UK stabilised in 2025, but remained volume-led, with modest transaction values outpacing cards in circulation. Headline inflation hovered near the target for much of the year, and policy rates began to ease, helping normalise day-to-day spending. The effect was most evident in more frequent, lower-value transactions. Consumers tapped for coffees, transport and top-up grocery runs rather than consolidating purchases. As a result, transa

Charge cards saw further decline across metrics in the UK in 2025 due to lower merchant acceptance and inflexible repayment structures. Users and businesses are increasingly moving to debit card systems, with charge cards becoming ever more obsolete.

In contrast to debit cards, credit cards saw higher transaction value growth than cards in circulation in 2025. Services and experiences are the most commonly purchased through credit cards, rather than everyday items. As with debit cards, contactless is increasingly common across merchants, offering unparalleled convenience. The prominence of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) continues to feature prominently at large UK retailers (e.g., Klarna at Sainsbury’s brands Argos/Habitat/Tu and at Boots), maint

Debit cards continued to register growth in both transaction value and circulation terms in the UK in 2025, and are now the most widely used payment method for local consumers. This is reinforced by an improved technological architecture that enables smaller, mobile businesses to accept non-cash payments more easily and lowers barriers to obtaining debit cards.

Store cards registered significant decline across metrics in 2025 as retailers continued to shift away from traditional card propositions. The Argos NewDay partnership to upgrade legacy store cards with Argos-branded digital credit shows the future of retail finance, limiting the role of traditional cards as merchants focus on promoting gift cards in stores and apps.

Pre-paid cards saw growth in both transaction value and circulation, and in open loop and closed loop terms in the UK in 2025, with this growth increasingly tied to digital wallets and app-led journeys that allow instant top-ups. Corporate employers prefer closed loop rewards for perceived value and to nudge spend with partner brands. Retailers have reciprocated by bundling bonus points and discounts on gift cards and redemptions.

Jewellery exhibited resilience in the UK in 2025, with a retail value of GBP4771 million, representing growth of 3%, despite a slight decline in retail volumes. Value growth was driven by consumers seeking accessible luxury and branded products. Sales are expected to continue growing, although at a slower rate, with a CAGR of 1% anticipated in the forecast period to reach GBP5,026 million in 2030, driven by increasing demand for affordable luxury and the growing purchasing power of younger audie

Writing instruments in the UK faced challenging conditions in 2025, with macroeconomic pressures leading to static volume sales and a low retail current value increase. Despite this, certain categories showed better performances, like pens, which saw retail volume and value growth to stand at 108 million units, and GBP153 million. Writing instruments is expected to continue its low but positive retail volume growth to 2030, driven by the consumer preference for multifunctional, sustainable, and

Personal accessories in the UK is characterised by polarisation, with luxury and value-driven products driving sales in 2025. Retail sales reached GBP16.2 billion, representing 4% growth from 2024, although while value sales rose, volume sales saw a marginal decline, driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and the divergence in consumer spending patterns. The median disposable income per household in the UK and the number of employed women both continued to rise in this year, supporting consumer pur

Bags and luggage in the UK is characterised by polarisation, with growth concentrated at both the luxury and value-driven ends. In 2025, retail value sales reached GBP4.5 billion, representing 1% growth, despite a decline in retail volume sales. This trend is driven by high-income consumers investing in premium brands and budget-conscious shoppers seeking affordable options. The category is expected to continue growing, driven by demand for sustainable and digital-first products, with a forecast

Traditional and connected watches in the UK experienced growth in 2025, with a 2% increase in retail volume and a 6% rise in retail value sales, driven by connected watches. The local market is attractive due to its potential for continued growth, driven by consumer demand for functionality, connectivity, and sustainability. The key trends include the growing importance of connected watches, the influence of Generation Z on product innovation, and the increasing significance of retail e-commerce

Food preparation appliances in the UK experienced a decline in retail volume sales in 2025, driven by the consumer preference for multifunctional products and a sluggish housing market. Despite this, certain categories, like mixers, saw a relatively slower decline due to their multifunctionality. Food preparation appliances is characterised by a stable, moderately concentrated competitive landscape, with the top five players maintaining their lead and together accounting for nearly half of sales

Large cooking appliances in the UK exhibited a relatively flat performance in 2025, with certain categories such as built-in hobs experiencing marginal growth driven by the popularity of premium vented hobs. The market's attractiveness is supported by a stable median disposable income per household of GBP49,760 and a growing employed female population, a significant demographic for cooking appliances, which reached 16.6 million. The premiumisation trend significantly influenced demand, driving v

Microwaves in the UK exhibited a mixed performance in 2025. Retail volumes of freestanding microwaves declined due to high saturation, yet built-in microwaves saw a slight increase, driven by premium features and a recovering housing market. In addition, the median disposable income per household in the UK rose slightly, indicating steady growth in consumer purchasing power, which supported demand for premium products. Despite a negative consumer confidence index of -0.7, a trend towards smart a

Small cooking appliances in the UK experienced a 2% decline in retail volume in 2025, with sales falling to 18.8 million units, yet saw value sales growth driven by trends such as multifunctionality and compact design. Despite challenges in the housing market and cautious buying behaviour, consumer preferences for energy-efficient and multifunctional products positively impacted sales. SharkNinja's innovative product launches and effective marketing strategies contributed significantly to this g

Dishwashers in the UK experienced a marginal improvement in sales in 2025, driven by the recovery of the housing market and growth in built-in dishwashers. The category is expected to continue growing over the forecast period, with retail volume sales set to increase at a CAGR of 3%. The trend towards built-in dishwashers is expected to continue, driven by consumers investing in kitchen renovations and the increasing preference for integrated kitchen appliances. Sustainability and energy efficie

Personal care appliances in the UK is characterised by a trend towards convenience and customisation, which drove current value growth in 2025 despite a marginal retail volume decline. With a rising median disposable income per household, consumers were willing to spend on products that simplified tasks and offered personalised experiences. The dominance of e-commerce as a retail channel further supported this trend, as consumers preferred the convenience of online shopping. Looking ahead, perso

Despite seeing a slight retail volume decline in 2025, consumer appliances in the UK demonstrated resilience, and saw current value growth. Increasing demand for smart and AI-powered appliances, energy-efficient products, and multifunctional designs was evident. With the median disposable income per household rising, consumers continued to invest in premium products that offered advanced features and practical benefits. Retail volume sales are forecast to return to marginal growth in the forecas

In 2025, vacuum cleaners in the UK demonstrated some resilience despite economic challenges, with a retail volume decline of 1% but positive value growth of 3%, reaching GBP1.1 billion. The market's attractiveness is bolstered by a steady increase in median disposable income per household, and the growing urban population, both of which support consumer demand for premium and technologically- advanced products. Key trends include the rise of robotic vacuum cleaners, the dominance of e-commerce,

Refrigeration appliances in the UK exhibited marginal retail volume growth in 2025, while higher value growth was driven by the premiumisation trend and consumer preference for built-in models and high-end features. With a median disposable income per household of GBP49,760, some local consumers continued to prioritise kitchen décor and functionality, supporting value growth despite close to flat volume growth. The category is expected to experience an improved performance over the forecast peri

Home laundry appliances in the UK was characterised by flat to marginally positive retail volume growth in 2025, due to high penetration levels, while a median disposable income per household of GBP49,760 supported replacement purchases. The trend towards smart and AI-powered appliances is driving value sales growth, with brands like Samsung launching innovative products featuring advanced technologies. Sustainability and energy efficiency are also key drivers, particularly in automatic dryers,

Air conditioners in the UK experienced volume and value growth in 2025, driven by increasing consumer awareness of climate change and the need for cooling solutions during heatwaves. With a median disposable income per household of over GBP50,000 and an inflation rate of 3%, economic conditions also supported consumer spending on appliances like air conditioners. Sales are expected to continue growing, with the possession of air conditioners in UK households projected to rise from 9% in 2025 to