THE TOP 30 BUSINESSES 2023

ooking first at the Top 10 businesses in the 2023 table, it reflects a continuing concentration in their business sectors. Dunelm Group is the sole new entrant, having increased turnover by a remarkable £278m, and as a retailer, joins Boots, Frasers Group, NEXT and Wilkinsons in making up half of the Top 10. The automotive sector is next, with Sytner Group and Pendragon as major dealership groups and Toyota as a manufacturer. Finally, Barratt and Bloor as major housebuilding companies complete the Top 10, and these were the only other firms whose turnover, based on house sales, increased during the year.

The companies in the 11-30 grouping reflect a wider range of business activities. The strength of the housebuilding and construction materials sectors remain evident with 5 companies. The manufacturing sector, led by Bombardier and then Rolls-Royce group of companies and Vaillant Group as significant businesses are more evident, also including the food manufacturing sector, Samworth Brothers and Refresco. Major business service and finance organisation retain high positions, as do a range of retailers including Games Workshop which rose 20 places, Watches of Switzerland and Crown Crest Group, which owns the Poundstretcher and Bargain Buys brands.

THE NUMBER 1 BUSINESS: BOOTS UK LTD AND ITS RELATED COMPANIES

For the fourth year, Boots UK Ltd is the number one company in the East Midlands, based on its turnover falling to £7,803m from £8,711m. This year again grouped together are all the companies carrying the brand name Boots in the index, owned by the parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, in the United States. This is in line with our policy of grouping together firms which have common ultimate ownership. It is clear that Boots as a chemist and pharmaceuticals-led retailer experienced strong demand during the Pandemic year, but its retail sales did not fully capitalise on this.