Clear paths to growth in “promising” UK convenience outlook
22 October 2025Read our UK convenience report to learn how the channel performed in H1, how it will perform for the rest of 2025, and our growth forecast to 2030.
The UK convenience channel shows promising signs of consistent growth, despite tobacco and vape products losing almost £400m in sales in H1 2025.
Findings published in our new report, ‘UK convenience market 2025 – 2030’, reveal that the channel grew 1.0% in H1 2025, with chilled foods and soft drinks making the biggest value gains (£150m and £146m respectively).
Restrained growth
Without the drag from tobacco and vape, however, sales would be up 3.3% in the first half of this year. Soft drinks, chilled foods, and non-food are among the top performing categories, while alcohol also underperformed by dropping 0.7%, though it still represents 15% of sales.
IGD projects the convenience market will reach £49.2bn for the full year of 2025, reflecting slightly improved performance of 1.3%.
Our forecast also shows convenience growth will average 2.7% over the next five years, with sales reaching £56.2 billion in 2030. Excluding tobacco and vape, the growth rate will be 3.6%.
Opportunities emerge
The sector’s adaptability is creating clear paths to growth. Health-focused stores are expanding, targeting urban shoppers with scalable concepts, while indulgent ranges continue to attract customers seeking premium experiences.
Quick commerce is influencing range development, with a stronger focus on fresh products and meal ingredients to meet changing shopper needs. For the future, automated dispensing and vending can widen access to meals at any time opening new avenues for collaboration and brand visibility.
Patrick Mitchell-Fox, Insight Partner at IGD and the author of the report, commented:
“Despite lingering pressures and broader retail challenges, the UK convenience channel has once again proven its ability to adapt, invest, and grow.
“The sector’s strength lies in its responsiveness, and its willingness to innovate in line with evolving shopper needs.”
Download the report
Find out more by reading the full report: ‘The UK convenience market 2025-2030’.