F&B Brands Lead London Demand, Outpacing Traditional Retail Sectors
Colliers research shows that food and beverage operators have been the leading source of demand for retail space in London for seven consecutive quarters, with no sign of slowing.
In Q3 2025, F&B brands accounted for 137 of the 330 retail space requirements Colliers tracked. Fashion and accessories followed with 57 and leisure with 52, representing year-on-year increases of 61% and 48% respectively. Over the first three quarters of 2025, Colliers recorded 937 requirements, up from 666 in the same period of 2024.
Overseas brands are a significant part of the picture. Operators from the USA and Italy led in Q3 with 15 and 11 requirements, with further demand from Australia, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
Flora Young, Director and Head of F&B in Colliers’ London Retail team, said there is clear and growing appetite from F&B operators for a Central London presence. She pointed to expansion by established groups such as MAD restaurants, JKS and White Rabbit Fund, as well as newer, smaller names including Public House, Bubala and Gold, and described the sector as resilient and encouraging for landlords and investors.
Paul Souber, Head of One London at Colliers, said London has attracted many new retail and F&B entrants over the past five years. However, he cautioned that global economic uncertainty, rising costs and taxes, and higher fit-out and operating costs have held back aggressive bidding, and he expects this cautious mood to continue into 2026.
