In 2023, employment in the UK’s retail sale of beverages in specialized stores stood at approximately 10.66 thousand FTE. From 2024 onwards, forecasts predict a consistent decline in employment, with numbers dropping from 10.29 thousand FTE in 2024 to 8.83 thousand FTE in 2028. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately -4.6% over the five-year period.

Future trends to watch for include:

Changing consumer preferences towards online shopping, potentially reducing demand for in-store employees.
Increased automation and self-service technologies affecting employment needs.
Potential regulatory changes impacting labor costs and employment structures in the sector.