Retail Reshuffle - How 2026 will shape the winners and losers

Retail is in its most decisive year in a decade.

Rising insolvencies, shifting consumer behaviour and structural cost pressure are redrawing the line between retailers that will survive, and those that won’t.

This CreditorWatch report reveals where financial stress is building, which retail sub‑sectors are most exposed, and what the data says about the year ahead. Get the insights you need to trade, lend and plan with confidence in 2026.

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The data tells more

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  • Retail insolvencies made up 7.5% of all insolvencies in the first six months of the financial year
  • higher interest rates are likely to further increase pressure on parts of the retail sector.
  • Consumers are redirecting spend from goods to experiences – travel, entertainment, dining – reducing volume through recreational stores.