Online Shops Lead New UK Business Registrations in 2025

New business registrations in the UK surged in 2025, with online shops emerging as the dominant sector. A total of 24,240 new online retail businesses were recorded, according to research conducted by the manufacturing software provider MRPeasy. This growth reflects significant shifts in consumer behavior, likely influenced by the lasting effects of the pandemic on shopping habits.

The analysis of data from Companies House revealed that online retail leads new business registrations, accounting for nearly a third of all startups in the wholesale and retail sector. Following online shops, the property sector captured three spots among the top ten business types, with a total of 45,225 new ventures registered.

Top Business Sectors in the UK

Online retail topped the list, while the property sector secured the second and third positions. The second most common business category was the letting and operating of own or leased real estate, which saw 22,321 new registrations. The buying and selling of own real estate followed closely with 16,741 registrations.

Other notable sectors included management consultancy activities, which ranked fourth with 13,881 new firms, and information technology consultancy, which came in fifth with 9,478 registrations. The food industry also made a strong appearance, with take-away food shops and mobile food stands ranking sixth, reflecting a growing demand for convenient dining options.

In summary, the top ten most common business classifications in the UK for 2025 are as follows:
1. Retail sales via mail order houses or via the Internet: 24,240
2. Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate: 22,321
3. Buying and selling of own real estate: 16,741
4. Management consultancy activities other than financial management: 13,881
5. Information technology consultancy activities: 9,478
6. Take-away food shops and mobile food stands: 8,374
7. Other business support service activities: 7,337
8. Other service activities: 7,074
9. Business and domestic software development: 7,044
10. Activities of other holding companies: 6,473

Decline in Traditional Industries

Conversely, traditional sectors displayed minimal growth. Mining and quarrying ranked as the least popular category, with only 373 new registrations. Following that, the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector recorded 643 new businesses, while water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities had 1,125 registrations.

Public administration and defence, along with compulsory social security, came next with 1,171 new businesses, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing completed the bottom five with 1,652 registrations.

The data underscores a significant trend in the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting the resilience of digital businesses in a changing marketplace. The robust performance of e-commerce ventures indicates a permanent shift in consumer shopping patterns, paving the way for new online retailers to thrive. This shift not only reflects evolving consumer preferences but also points to broader economic changes as the UK continues to adapt to a post-pandemic environment.