In 2023, the number of enterprises in the UK specializing in the retail sale of tobacco products stood at 1.65 thousand. The forecast indicates a declining trend with enterprise numbers decreasing annually: 1.6 thousand in 2024, 1.55 thousand in 2025, 1.5 thousand in 2026, 1.46 thousand in 2027, and 1.41 thousand in 2028. The year-on-year percentage declines are approximately 3.03% in 2025, 3.23% in 2026, 2.67% in 2027, and 3.42% in 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the five years is projected to be -2.93%.
Future trends to watch for include regulatory changes affecting tobacco sales, shifts in consumer preferences towards e-cigarettes, increasing health awareness, and the impact of economic conditions on discretionary spending in specialized stores.
