* The source includes retailers (chains) when they have a minimum of five stores or a minimum turnover of 3 million euros.
The source also adds the following information:
'Please note that some retailers are active in several sectors in which case there is some duplication in the numbers. The same goes for retailers active in several countries.'
This statistic portrays the number of retail chains by sector in United Kingdom (UK) in the year 2021. Fashion and clothing was the leading sector, with 117 chains, followed by consumer electronics, with 55 retail chains. Home ware was ranked third, standing at 43 chains, while the optical sector showed the smallest amount, with ten retail chains.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Retail-Index. (August 24, 2021). Number of retail chains in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by sector [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/
Retail-Index. "Number of retail chains in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by sector." Chart. August 24, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 19, 2026. /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/
Retail-Index. (2021). Number of retail chains in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by sector. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 19, 2026. /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/
Retail-Index. "Number of Retail Chains in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2021, by Sector." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 24 Aug 2021, /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/
Retail-Index, Number of retail chains in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by sector ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/ (last visited July 19, 2026)
Number of retail chains in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by sector [Graph], Retail-Index, August 24, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/642131/retail-chains-number-by-sector-uk/
