Education and transport are the two sectors of the UK economy to see the biggest decline in the financial health of businesses. That’s according to Plimsoll, the market analysts.
Having assessed over 1600 different sectors of the UK economy, Plimsoll has been able to show which industries have the highest (and lowest) percentage of companies that have seen their financial performance decline in the latest trading period.
Here are the top 20 industries with the highest and lowest percentages:
| Industry |
% decline |
Industry |
% decline |
| Bus Transport Operators |
53% |
Onshore Wind Farms |
27% |
| Car Dealers |
52% |
Health & Fitness Clubs |
26% |
| School Academies |
51% |
Picture Framing |
26% |
| Casting |
51% |
Health & Safety Consultants |
26% |
| Registered Social Landlords |
50% |
Pharma & Healthcare Consulting |
26% |
| Cable & Wire Products |
50% |
Holiday Cottage Agents |
25% |
| Rubber & Polyurethane |
49% |
Game Developers |
24% |
| Furniture Wholesalers |
49% |
Record Labels |
24% |
| Aluminium Window Systems |
49% |
Tax Consultants |
23% |
| Cycle Shops |
48% |
Letting Agents |
23% |
| Independent Schools |
48% |
Financial Claims Management |
22% |
| Recruitment Agencies |
48% |
Physiotherapists |
22% |
| Animal Feeds |
48% |
E-Cigarettes & Vaping Products |
22% |
| Leisure Centres |
48% |
Utility Brokers & Consultants |
22% |
| Agricultural Merchants |
47% |
Foreign Exchange Services |
21% |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
47% |
Children's Indoor Activity Centres |
21% |
| Poultry |
47% |
Music Publishers |
21% |
| Motorcycle Parts & Accessories |
47% |
Bridalwear Retailers |
19% |
| Coach Hire & Tours |
47% |
Driving Schools |
18% |
| Print Finishers |
47% |
Executive Coaching |
18% |
Christopher Evans, Senior Analyst explains some of the findings, “There are a few “eye-openers” among the industries seeing a decline in company health. School providers at both ends of the social scale are among those where an increasing number of operators are falling into danger. Enthusiasts of two-wheeled transport must be worried with Cycle Shops, Motorcycle Dealers and providers of parts and accessories all seeing a big decline in overall financial stability”.
“Elsewhere, there are some industries where struggling companies continue to be in a minority. According to the list of the 20 least troubled markets, the UK is still be spending a fortune getting married, being a bit eco-friendlier, attempting to get fitter, hurting ourselves in the process and quitting smoking…...all funded by PPI refunds”.
“The financial ratings we provide on every UK company are based on the Plimsoll Model. This graphical and written model, developed and proven over 30 years, measures every company’s financial health against its commercial success to alert the reader to companies with looming weakness in their performance. Such is the power of our measurement model that 9 out of 10 companies currently in administration were rated as Danger up to 2 years prior to their demise”.