Retail Market Review 2026

“The UK convenience retail and forecourt sectors continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. Despite a backdrop of rising operating costs, ongoing inflationary pressures, labour shortages, regulatory change, and evolving consumer behaviours, demand for quality businesses remains exceptionally strong.

“At Christie & Co, we have seen first-hand the depth of appetite from purchasers across the market. Buyer demand continues to outstrip the supply of available opportunities, creating competitive tension when interested parties bid for sites and supporting robust business values.

“During the first half of 2026, we experienced a significant increase in offers made on retail businesses, while maintaining a database of more than 14,000 active buyers seeking acquisition opportunities. This sustained level of activity has also supported the growth of our Retail & Leisure team, as we have continued to expand our team of expert retail advisers across the UK to ensure we remain best placed to support our clients in an evolving market.

“Throughout this report, we explore the key trends shaping the convenience retail market, from labour challenges, crime, and technology adoption, to legislative changes, including the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which will ban the sale of cigarettes to people born after 2009 and create a smoke‑free generation, and the Deposit Return Scheme, where customers will pay a refundable deposit for certain single-use drink containers. For many retailers, these changes will mean navigating changes in sales, retraining staff, redirecting footfall to new products, new storage requirements, and administrative responsibilities.

“This review also examines the continued evolution of forecourts into broader roadside retail destinations, where convenience, food-to-go and alternative energy infrastructureare becoming increasingly important drivers of value.”