--- title: 8 Statistics That Reveal Business Is Booming in the UK description: Statistics about the state of the UK's SMEs and facts to prove business might be booming in time for 2016... image: https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/Blog_Featured-Images/COFFEE-EARLY-OFFICE.jpg --- [![Thrive Logo](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/thrive-logo-pink-1.svg)](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/) - [What We Do](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/what-we-do) - [About](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/about-us) - [Approach](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/approach) - [Work](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/work) - [Blog](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog) - [Contact](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/contact) Blog # 8 Statistics That Reveal Business Is Booming in the UK November 2, 2015 7 Minute Read By Sarah Burns ## You might have caught the first part of our two-part statistics special on UK businesses, the economy and, of course, marketing activities.  Now, we are looking at the end of the year for UK businesses and all of the good predictions that have been outlined for the year ahead... Although we have highlighted some worrying factors for businesses that have come to light thanks to various factors, in our previous blog, there is also a lot to look forward to... ### 8 Statistics Proving Business Is Booming This Bonfire Night 1. Over **80 per cent** of British consumers report feelings of happiness and contentment when they purchase goods or services from small and independent businesses, compared to just 53 per cent who buy from large chains, research finds... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2493166/uk-consumers-happier-to-shop-with-smaller-operators-than-large-brands.thtml)\] 2. A study by Allied Irish Bank (GB) finds that 62 per cent of owner-managed businesses expect the economic situation to improve in the next year. Additionally, **90 per cent are optimistic** about future business prospects... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2493026/business-owners-confident-about-the-future-of-their-company.thtml)\] 3. Plans to increase free childcare from 15 to 30 hours a week are **being favoured by more than half** of small business operators... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2492941/small-business-owners-show-support-for-increased-childcare.thtml)\] 4. The number of new business start-ups has **grown by** **28 per cent** across the UK over the past year, research finds... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/opportunities/2494116/uk-sees-new-startups-boom-over-past-year.thtml)\] 5. Pop-up retail is now worth £2.3 billion to the UK economy, an **increase of 12.3 per cent** on last year, research finds... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/opportunities/2491166/popups-becoming-a-major-factor-in-retail.thtml)\] 6. UK small and medium-sized businesses are predicting an average **increase in turnover of 37 per cent** over the next five years, research finds... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2492861/smes-look-forward-to-growth-over-next-five-years.thtml)\] 7. A third of UK SMEs have grown over past two years, as research finds **33% have added** employees to their business since 2013... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2489261/a-third-of-uk-smes-have-grown-over-past-two-years.thtml)\] 8. The ambition and scope of new UK businesses has been emphasised by figures suggesting that UK start ups create **twice as many** jobs per head of population than those in Germany. UK start ups created 876 new jobs per 100,000 people, German start ups 424, and French start ups 627... \[[Read more](http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/news/outlook/2484711/uk-leading-the-way-in-startup-job-creation.thtml)\] ### Another fact worth mentioning... In 2015, millennials are set to become the largest percentage of the workforce for the first time and by 2025 it is estimated that they will make up 75% of the workforce.  Of course, 'millennials' is somewhat of a generalised term given to every young person of working age who knows what Snapchat is, however they do give businesses an opportunity to review how effective their strategies are. Can your business be improved by either hiring a millennial or by adopting a more up-to-date marketing strategy, i.e. one that includes social media? A fresh pair of eyes (and the youthful, enthusiastic insight a millennial typically provides) can be priceless... ### What's next? We hope that this two-part series has highlighted just how varied the business landscape and the stability of it is. With North/South divides and so on still having real consequences on how different sectors and the businesses in them, thrive or stagnate, its time to carefully consider your plans for the year ahead. **For information about strategic communications, such as marketing plans or other elements, i.e. buyer personas and brand development strategies contact Rachel at Thrive via [hello@thriveability.co.uk](mailto:hello@thriveability.co.uk).** #### Share this post... [mailto:?Subject=Check%20out%20this%20post&Body=https://www.thriveability.co.uk//blog/8-statistics-that-reveal-business-is-booming-in-the-uk](mailto:?Subject=Check%20out%20this%20post&Body=https://www.thriveability.co.uk//blog/8-statistics-that-reveal-business-is-booming-in-the-uk) Ready to talk? ## Whether you need a new website, a branding refresh, or a marketing strategy, the first step is a conversation. We'll give you an honest view of where you are and what's worth doing next. ## You may also like to read... October 30, 2015 #### [13 Business Statistics To Scare You This Halloween](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/13-uk-small-business-facts-and-stats-to-scare-you-this-halloween) To get in the spirit of Halloween we thought we would gather some of the most scary business statistics in the UK. October 10, 2014 #### [What Is the Real Return on Investment Possible from Inbound Marketing?](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/series-inbound-facts-revealed-rumours-cleared-up-roi) ROI is a difficult measurement, but the one that most businesses view the most important - understandably. This week our series measures... October 7, 2016 #### [Key Findings From 2016's State of Inbound Report by HubSpot](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/key-findings-from-2016s-state-of-inbound-report-by-hubspot) Each year HubSpot brings out their insightful State of Inbound 2016 report. ![hubspot-logo-white](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/2021%20Assets/Partner%20Logos/hubspot-logo-white.svg "hubspot-logo-white") ![google-partner-logo-white](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/2021%20Assets/Partner%20Logos/google-partner-logo-white.svg "google-partner-logo-white") Copyright © Thrive Marketing Limited 2026 [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrivehq?trk=top_nav_home/) [hello@thriveability.co.uk](mailto:hello@thriveability.co.uk) [01325 778 786](tel:01325%20778%20786)