Industries with the Biggest Increase in Profit Margin in the UK in 2024

1. Light Metal Casting in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 21.1pp

Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.7%. The industry's largest downstream markets, motor vehicle and aerospace manufacturers, significantly influence light metal casting demand due to both sectors' inherent need for light metal casting in their production.

In 2022-23, revenue is forecast to rise by 6.1% to £552 million, driven by the recovery of major downstream markets as the pandemic winds down. Declining car production has weighed on industry revenue over the past five years. Before COVID-19, car registrations had fallen steeply, limiting demand for automotive components. The Boeing 737... Learn More

2. Driving Schools in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 20.0pp

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3. Gyms & Fitness Centres in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 19.0pp

Revenue is accumulated from membership fees, which are typically on a contract basis. Gyms can be low-market, mid-market and high-market based on their membership fees and the facilities they offer. Despite the presence of several large players, there are still many small independent gyms operating across the UK.

Over the five years through 2023-24, industry revenue is expected to decrease at a compound annual rate of 4.2% to £1.9 billion. Strong growth over the two years through 2019-20 was underpinned by a number of public health initiatives. The industry's structure has also undergone a shift in favour of budget operators, such... Learn More

4. Cinemas in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 18.6pp

Cinemas earn their income primarily through box office sales, with blockbuster films being incredibly lucrative, but food and beverage sales and screen advertising also offer relatively strong revenue streams. The industry is dominated by the top four chains holding most of the market shares. Non-chain cinemas typically operate within niche sectors of the industry.

High cinema admissions and a strong film slate helped UK cinemas grow throughout the years. The release of highly anticipated films and the popularity of major film franchises (think the Marvel Cinematic Universe) pushed admission numbers to a decades-long peak of 177 million in 2018, according to... Learn More

5. Urban Passenger Rail Operations in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 16.8pp

Over the five years through 2022-23, revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 1.7% to £3.7 billion. COVID-19 disruptions decimated urban rail traffic, driving this revenue loss. London is the largest market for urban rail services, accounting for more than 90% of passengers. Consequently, Transport for London (TfL) dominates the industry through its ownership of the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground. Industry performance is predominately contingent on the number of passengers using these services, which is determined by several demographic and social factors, including the size of the urban population, the... Learn More

6. Budget Airlines in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 15.8pp

The Budget Airlines industry has benefitted from consumers increasingly seeking value for money. The industry is highly concentrated, consisting of only four airlines. External factors, including business and consumer confidence, household disposable income, and outbound and international tourist numbers, determine demand for budget airlines. Shocks like natural disasters, terrorist attacks and disease outbreaks also affect demand. Revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2023-24 to £10.1 billion.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, subdued confidence and weak growth in household disposable income due to Brexit supported demand for budget airlines' services from... Learn More

7. Hard Coal Mining in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 13.1pp

Over the five years through 2022-23, hard coal mining revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 26.2%. Before COVID-19 hit, coal prices were inching downwards as demand for coal from electricity generators fell. The drop in sales and revenue has contributed to a sharp drop in the number of UK coal mines in the UK, with numerous mining licences expiring.

The COVID-19 outbreak accelerated the closure of coal mines in the UK; however, as the pandemic started to wind down, coal prices rose in response to supply chain disruptions. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also played a... Learn More

8. Sports Facilities in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 12.3pp

Sports facilities revenue is anticipated to drop at a compound annual rate of 5.6% to £4.8 billion over the five years through 2023-24, hit by greater competition from substitute activities and weak economic conditions. Popular sporting events like the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2020 have supported rental and leasing income from clubs. Efforts made by the government to encourage sport participation, like Sporting Future and Towards an Active Nation, have improved attitudes towards sport, lifting demand for sports facilities.

Revenue recovered in 2021-22, following lows induced by the COVID-19 outbreak, driven by eager sports fans buying tickets... Learn More

9. Tour Operators in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 12.0pp

The economic climate in the UK has a significant effect on tour bookings, as spending on travel and tourism is considered to be a luxury and, therefore, consumers cut back on this type of spending when finances are constrained. Over the five years through 2022-23, tour operator revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to £10.3 billion. This is mainly because revenue plummeted during 2020-21, owing to COVID-19 disruptions; most consumers were unable to travel abroad or domestically during the majority of the year. However, as restrictions have eased during 2022-23, holiday numbers have increased... Learn More

10. Paper Stationery Manufacturing in the UK

Percentage Point Increase for 2024: 9.8pp

Over the five years through 2023-24, the paper stationery manufacturing industry is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.2% to £370.3 million. Manufacturers have faced intense external competition from electronic communication, data transfer and storage applications. Weak economic conditions have coincided with businesses and households reducing spending on stationery products as consumers increasingly use digital notebooks and email. However, many retailers have reported rising luxury notebooks and diary sales, partially mitigating poor revenue performance across other product segments. Surprisingly, enterprise numbers have expanded, driven by niche downstream market opportunities.

In 2020-21, industry revenue fell significantly because of widespread... Learn More