In times of economic uncertainty, buying a business can be a great way to secure your financial future. Investing in an existing business often comes with less risk than launching a new startup, since you’re acquiring a proven customer base and a recognised brand.
But which industries might make good investments in 2025? In this article, we explore which industries are on the rise and have demonstrated consistent demand. The businesses below represent some of the fastest growing and most popular categories on BusinessesForSale.com, and are backed by up-to-date trends and data.
If you’ve ever wondered which business is best in the UK, these are a great place to start your entrepreneurial journey and take control of your future career.
The Most Profitable Businesses in the UK 2025
AI Businesses
Many of the highest paying industries in the UK are set to be revolutionized by AI in the coming years – if they haven’t been already. Businesses which provide AI services to these sectors are a great choice for investors, but savvy entrepreneurs should also be on the lookout for ways that AI can be used to streamline any purchased business.
Improving customer service, reducing operational costs and shortening the amount of time taken for administrative or manufacturing processes – these are just a few of the ways AI can increase the value of a purchased business and generate high returns on investment. Harnessing the power of these emerging technologies could set apart some of the best businesses in the UK.
Tip: For more advice on how you can turn a profit by improving a purchased business, read our article How to Turn a Profit from Flipping a Business.
Home Working Businesses
One of the fastest growing categories on BusinessesForSale.com in recent years has been Work From Home Businesses, and it’s easy to see why. Many people in the UK have gotten used to working from the comfort of their own homes ever since the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to. With some big corporations such as Amazon and Tesla pushing back on this trend with return-to-work mandates, many entrepreneurs have been looking for profitable work from home businesses they can purchase in order to maintain a flexible work life.
There are many kinds of business that can be run profitably from home, such as event planning, e-commerce, graphic design, copywriting, tutoring, marketing and web design. You can read our comprehensive new guide How to Buy a Work From Home Business for more detail on valuation, due diligence and financing. The guide also breaks down how to build company culture with employees who work remotely, and provides tips for buying a work from home business based in another country.
Private Healthcare
With NHS patients facing long waiting lists, many of those who can afford to go private for their healthcare are choosing to. A 2024 report by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network found that 67% of people surveyed would consider using private healthcare, while 34% said they would pay for treatment in the next 12 months if they needed it.
The value of the UK private healthcare industry has risen consistently alongside demand – in 2024 it was valued at £11.5bn, and projected to rise to £15.3bn by 2033, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. Entrepreneurs who are willing to learn the ins and outs of a lucrative but regulated industry could reap big rewards.
Tip: The healthcare sector is one that is likely to be impacted by the emergence of AI. At the start of 2025, the UK government announced an AI Opportunities Action Plan to help boost growth and improve delivery in public services. Private healthcare businesses should keep a close eye on these developments.
E-Commerce
E-commerce businesses remain some of the most profitable businesses in the UK, as they often demonstrate high demand, low overhead costs and consistent growth. Among all categories on BusinessesForSale.com in 2024, e-commerce businesses generated the highest number of Enquiries Per Listing by some distance – signalling a high level of desirability among buyers.
Not only are e-commerce businesses profitable, they are also often flexible and highly scalable. This makes them great choices for first-time business buyers and experienced flippers alike. Adding in some marketing or web design expertise can be a way to quickly boost your returns on an existing Shopify Store, dropshipping business, or Amazon Store.
Tip: For more detailed advice, including tips about how to spot a profitable e-commerce store, read our article Everything you Need to Know About Buying an Online Business.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Non-alcoholic beverages were one of our tips for business buyers in the Most Profitable Businesses in the UK 2024 – and they’ve earned their spot once again. According to a new report, the retail value and volume sales of low- and zero- alcohol drinks more than doubled between 2019 and 2024. Many pubs and bars have cottoned on to this trend in recent years, increasing their supply of non-alcoholic beer and cocktails.
Tip: Search through the hundreds of pubs for sale on BusinessesForSale.com, and find one in an area with a young demographic – perhaps one close to a university. Gen Z and millennials are most likely to opt for non-alcoholic drinks, and providing them with a large menu of choices could prove a lucrative long-term investment.
Takeaways
Takeaways remain one of the most profitable small businesses in the UK, and one of the most popular with business buyers and sellers. They were among the businesses with the highest number of leads across BusinessesForSale.com in 2024, demonstrating consistent demand throughout the year.
One of the keys to success when running a takeaway business is choosing the right location, so make sure you do your research thoroughly. There are almost 1,200 takeaway businesses listed on BusinessesForSale.com, meaning you can carefully filter for price, location and other essential information.
Recycling Businesses
In March 2025, the ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation will come into effect, requiring UK businesses to be more careful about how they separate their waste. This could be an opportune moment for businesses which handle commercial recycling to gain more clients and increase their revenue streams, while simultaneously helping move the UK towards a greener future.
Recycling businesses were one of the categories on our website with the highest Enquiries Per Listing in 2024, a sign that their specialist services are in high demand. This is also an industry that is set to be impacted by AI in the coming years – advancements in deep learning now enable machines to accurately sort complex mixes of waste and increase recycling efficiency.
Camping and Caravan Parks
Staycations are on the rise in the UK - more than 37 million domestic overnight holiday trips were booked by brits in 2023, generating spend of around £12 billion. Camping and caravan parks are well positioned to capitalise on the trend towards domestic tourism, offering cosy retreats and family fun without the need for a long-haul flight.
The camping market is expected to reach revenue of £741m by 2025, and is also projected to grow annually at a rate of 3.64% until 2029. This suggests it could be a good bet for a future-proofed business that will continue to rise in demand.
Tip: It is also forecasted that by 2029, 64% of all revenue generated in the camping market will be through online sales. This makes it essential for entrepreneurs entering this market to have a strong website, solid SEO strategy and a presence on online portals such as AirBnB.
Self-Storage
2024 was an unpredictable year for many businesses – but official economic statistics from the UK government show that storage (alongside transport) was one of the few sectors which saw a considerable rise in 2024, increasing in size by 5%. The industry exceeded £1bn annual revenue in 2023, and demand has remained high as many businesses which have transitioned to a remote model of working require storage space for office equipment. These make it a candidate for one of the best businesses in the UK.
Ready to start your entrepreneurial journey?
If any of the ideas above have got you thinking about buying a business, we’re here to help. As well as more than 56,000 businesses for sale across the globe, BusinessesForSale.com offers articles and guides which can help both new and experienced entrepreneurs at every step of their journey.
If you want to learn more about how to apply for finance to purchase a business, read our financing guide.
To discover the ten essential questions you should ask a seller before committing to buying a business, read The Ten Essential Questions all Business Buyers Should Ask Sellers.
FAQs
What business makes the most profit in the UK?
As of 2023, Shell is the most valuable company in the UK by market cap.
What industry has the highest profit margin in the UK?
Some examples of industries with high profit margins include: Software and technology companies, e-commerce, financial services and real estate.
What business is in demand in the UK?
AI businesses, private healthcare, e-commerce businesses and non-alcoholic beverages are some examples of businesses with rising demand in the UK.
Who are the top 10 earners in the UK?
Some entrepreneurs who are among the top 10 earners in the UK include Sir James Dyson, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Gopi Hinduja and Richard Branson.