The forecast for self-employed individuals in the UK's wholesale, retail, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector indicates a steady decline from 2024 to 2028. The number of self-employed is expected to decrease from 55.13 thousand in 2024 to 48.3 thousand in 2028. Comparing year-on-year figures, the reduction in self-employed persons is approximately 3.1% from 2024 to 2025, 3.2% from 2025 to 2026, 3.3% from 2026 to 2027, and 3.4% from 2027 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over these five years reflects an average annual decrease of around 3.2%.

Future trends to watch for include:

The impact of technological advancements and automation on self-employment opportunities.
Changing consumer preferences towards digital platforms and their effect on traditional retail models.
Potential regulatory changes that may impact self-employment dynamics within the sector.