Commercial Market Stall Statistics 2025

As the new trading year begins, businesses will face fresh peaks, seasonal events and shifts in consumer behaviour. The latest data offers a clear view of the UK business landscape, especially for SMEs, female founders, Christmas markets, visitor spending and festive retail trends.

Read on to learn what’s changing and why it matters.

2025 UK business population data shows:

UK Business Landscape 2025

2025 UK business population data shows:

• 4.3 million businesses (75% of the total business population) did not employ anyone aside from the owner(s).
• There were 3.2 million sole proprietorships, accounting for 57% of the UK private sector business population.
• The number of sole traders increased by 138,900 (5%) between 2024 and 2025.
• The total business population increased by 191,000, driven by a 201,000 rise in non-employing businesses.

(Source: Gov.uk)

• SME turnover increased from £2.35 trillion in 2023 to £2.75 trillion in 2024.
  (Source: British Business Bank)
• Despite cost-of-living pressures, SMEs have continued to deliver strong year-on-year increases in economic contribution, indicating resilience and demand for small business services.
  (Source: British Business Bank)

Female Entrepreneurship Statistics 2025

• Approximately 15% of all SME employers are led by women. (Source: Gov.uk)
• The Rose Review 2023 found that 150,000 SMEs were founded by women in 2022, double 2018. (Source: NatWest Group)

Christmas Markets & Seasonal Consumer Behaviour

Market Growth & Shopper Trends

• Case studies show almost all Christmas market visitors make additional purchases elsewhere in town centres.
• UK Christmas markets increased from 30 in 2007 to over 100 by 2017.
  (Source: Local Government Association)
• 44% of UK consumers prefer shopping with independents at Christmas.
• 48% of TikTok users purchased something they saw on the app in 2024.
• 59% of UK shoppers value “added extras” during festive shopping. (Source: YouGov)
• UK cart abandonment rates average 70%. (Source: Baymard)
• UK residents made 105.6 million overnight domestic trips within Great Britain in 2024, contributing 308 million holiday nights and £32.9 billion in spend.
  (Source: House of Commons Library)
• In addition, UK residents made 1 billion domestic day-trip tourism visits, spending £54.8 billion. (Source: House of Commons Library)

Brexit & Business Participation Statistics 

Councils reported:

• 21% fewer businesses trading at Christmas markets post-Brexit.
• London West End traders: 247 (2019) → 119 (2022).
• Edinburgh projected 50% fewer traders in 2022.
• Belfast (single market) saw a 15% increase.
  

UK Handicrafts Market

• UK = 4.3% of global handicrafts market (2023).
• Fastest-growing market in Europe, expected to reach USD 44,255.3m by 2030.
  (Source: Grand View Research)

Aberdeen Christmas Village Statistics 2023

(Source: Aberdeen City Council)

Aberdeen Christmas Village Visitor Spend

Spend Metric	Value	Compared to previous year
Average On-Site Spend	£31	Down from £34
% Who Spent	46%	—
External Shopping	£67	Down £30
External Spending Rate	21%	—
Spend per Group	£43	Up from £40

Aberdeen Christmas Village Visitor Profile

• 66% from Aberdeen City; 23% from Aberdeenshire
• 59% aged 25–44
• 54% female
• 63% return visitors
• 52% came specifically for the event
• Reasons: Food/Drink (35%), Festive Feel (33%), Rides (28%)

Aberdeen Christmas Village Vendor Feedback

• 91% said trading was good for business
• 94% happy with the decision to trade
• 91% plan to return
• Requested:
  • more accessible toilets
  • better access for mobility-challenged sellers
  • stricter vetting for mass-produced goods

City Business Feedback

• 56% saw a business benefit (down 7%)
• 78% said the event boosts the city centre

Visitor Satisfaction

• 87% would recommend
• 88% said it improved their perception of Aberdeen
• 39% rated it better than previous years

Cheltenham Christmas Market Statistics 2021

(Source: Cheltenham Borough Council)

Cheltenham Christmas Market Visit Numbers

• Market: 237,700 visits
• Ice Rink: 43,600 visits
• 61% visited the market multiple times
• £3.3m new spend generated
• £4.3m local business turnover (63 jobs)
• 105,100 visits directly driven by the attractions

Cheltenham Christmas Market Spend

• Ice Rink: £9.94
• Market: £9.25
• Wider Town: £34.74
• Accommodation: £42.65 per night

Cheltenham Christmas Market Visitor Behaviour

• 69% visited with children
• Avg group size: 4.78
• 47% AB socioeconomic
• Avg dwell time: 3.86 hours

Bath Christmas Market 2024

(Source: Bath & North East Somerset Council)

Bath Christmas Market Economic Impact

• £34.8m additional spend
• £41.5m turnover generated
• 543 jobs supported

Bath Christmas Market Spend

Type	Avg. Spend	Compared to previous year
At Market	£31.31	Up
Shopping Elsewhere	£29.73	Up
Eating/Drinking	£31.60	Up
Accommodation	£70.25	Steady

Bath Christmas Market Visitor Statistics

• 73% came specifically for the Market
• 96% UK visitors
• 58% from the South West
• 33% first-timers
• Avg dwell time 3.8 hours

Newcastle Christmas Market Statistics 2024

(Source: Newcastle City Council)

• 1.76 million visits (+28%)
• £90m+ total spend
• 76% non-resident visitors
• 28% visited specifically for the Market

Newcastle Christmas Market Spend

Category	Avg (All)	Purchasers Only	Change
Total Market Spend	£29.56	£39.06	+£6.12
Shopping	£17.41	£34.60	Slight rise
Food/Drink	£10.19	£18.42	Up from £7.48
Purchasers	76%	—	+4%

Newcastle Christmas Market Total Spend: £52.1m (+63%)

Newcastle Christmas Market Visitor Feedback

Newcastle Christmas Market Customer Feedback Positives:

• Atmosphere (34%)
• Variety (25%)
• Local traders (20%)
• Appearance (20%)

Newcastle Christmas Market Customer Feedback Requests:

• More Christmas-themed stalls
• More handmade/crafted goods
• More children’s attractions