A new Retail Index Top 100 ranking celebrating the UK’s most dynamic retail businesses has been published, ranking matcha-based energy drink brand Perfect Ted claiming the number one position in this year’s ranking of Britain’s fastest growing retailers.
Health and wellness companies dominated this year’s list, supported by Retail Week, with beauty, health & wellbeing brands taking 16 of the 100 spots – joint second only to fashion retailers (18) and wholesale & distribution (18). The sector’s rise reflects a post-Covid boom in consumer focus on personal health, from brain function supplements to premium nutrition products.
Top takeaways from the 2025 Retail Index:
Health & wellness leads the charge: The sector has surged to prominence, with companies focusing on holistic health solutions making significant gains. Winners include Ancient & Brave (ranked 4th) with collagen and wellness blends, PLouise cosmetics (15th), and supplement brands Phizz (18th) and Heights (40th). This trend extends across categories, with pet wellness products also thriving – Pet Lab Co. (33rd), Butternut Box (21st) and Scrumbles (28th) all feature.
Food & drink innovation thrives: Traditional categories are being reinvented by creative entrepreneurs. Perfect Ted’s 559.83% compound annual growth demonstrates the appetite for healthier alternatives, while premium meal prep services Simmer Eats (2nd) and Prep Kitchen (13th) cater to time-poor consumers seeking quality nutrition. British baby formula maker Kendal Nutricare (formula brand name Kendamil) (14th) has captured over 20% of the UK market despite fierce multinational competition.
Wholesalers capitalise on economic conditions: Wholesale & distribution companies make up 18% of the list, with many benefiting from inflationary pressures on food prices. This represents a shift from previous years, reflecting the economic challenges retailers have navigated.
Bootstrapped success stories: An impressive 72 of the top 100 achieved hyper-growth without venture capital funding or an IPO, suggesting British retail entrepreneurs are either exceptionally self-sufficient or potentially underfunded compared to other sectors. Only 36 companies received external financing, though these funded businesses grew on average at 104.1% versus the list average of 81.9%.
Record-breaking growth rates: The 2025 cohort achieved an average compound annual growth rate of 81.9%, significantly up from 61.9% last year, making this the fastest-growing group of retailers yet measured. The average company is now turning over £81.9 million, demonstrating the scale these businesses have achieved.
The top ten retailers ranked by growth:
- Perfect Ted – matcha-based energy drinks with compound annual growth of 559.83%
- Simmer Eats – chef-prepared meals with compound annual growth of 370.25%
- Huddled Group – e-commerce surplus goods specialist with compound annual growth of 322.69%
- Ancient & Brave – collagen and wellness blends with compound annual growth of 295.22%
- Proof Drinks – multi-channel drinks distributor with compound annual growth of 285.21%
- Purdy & Figg – natural cleaning refills with compound annual growth of 236.00%
- Winedrops – members-only wine club with compound annual growth of 221.00%
- Harding+ – cruise ship retail operations with compound annual growth of 198.29%
- Salt Beer – Yorkshire craft brewery with compound annual growth of 197.40%
- Bold Bean Co – premium jarred beans with compound annual growth of 191.96%
Orlando Martins, Founder and CEO of Growth Index, said: “The UK is a hotbed of innovation and creativity in retail, flying the flag globally from nimble start-ups through to some of our largest companies. These businesses prove that savvy retailers can grow at great pace, creating jobs, building export markets and contributing revenues to the Treasury. What’s particularly striking this year is how health-conscious consumers are driving growth, whether that’s in supplements, premium food, or wellness products – retailers who understand this shift are reaping the rewards.”
Regional performance: London continues to dominate with 39 companies (up from 34 last year), reflecting the capital’s strength in consumer brands and access to talent and investment. The North West has 14 companies, Yorkshire 4, and Scotland 3. However, the geographic concentration highlights the ongoing imbalance in the UK’s high-growth ecosystem outside the capital.
Female leadership: Women lead or co-lead 17 of the 100 companies, up from 14 last year and above the FTSE 250 average, with just 7 women holding CEO roles across the FTSE 100.
Read the full Retail Index 2025 report at www.growthindex.com
