Executive Summary

In 1996, the UK shopfitting market was worth £1.39bn, in terms of estimated total turnover. This represented an increase of 5.7% on the previous year's figure.

This figure covers the fitting of retail interiors and shopfronts, and for refurbishment of other non-retail premises, such as banks and restaurants. However, the large retail groups account for most of the demand.

As retail spending is continuing to improve, the market for shopfitting is in a phase of recovery and growth. However, pressure on profit margins in the industry is very severe, and shows no signs of easing until there is further concentration in the industry.

Refurbishment projects continue to provide more opportunities than the new building sector, although both have shown growth in 1996. Export contracts are a potential growth sector for many companies.

Key Note forecasts growth of 8.1% for the industry, between 1997 and 1998. This growth will be helped by the upturn in new commercial building projects. The same rate of growth is expected to be sustained between 1998 and 1999. In the longer term, the advent of electronic shopping threatens to reduce the demand for shopfitting, and also to change the kind of interiors which are required. However, many within the retail industry seem to think that this change is still several years away.

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