The working week now follows a different rhythm. According to ONS data from April 2025, 14% of adults in Great Britain said they had exclusively worked from home in the past seven days, 41% had exclusively worked away from home, and 26% had done hybrid working. This evolution of working patterns creates new opportunities for city-centre and suburban hospitality businesses, and for retailers with strong fulfilment infrastructure.
Consumers are spending more time and money in their local communities, driving a shift in economic activity away from central business districts and towards neighbourhoods and digital platforms.
Retailers and hospitality businesses are adapting to changing consumer flows. From logistical upgrades to redesigned retail formats, the hybrid economy is prompting fresh thinking around how – and where – to meet demand.
Location is no longer fixed – and brand strategies shouldn’t be either. With hybrid habits shaping how and where people shop, brands must flex their footprint and logistics.
Even if hybrid working declines slightly, it’s unlikely to return to pre-COVID levels: meaning consumers will continue to spend more time in their homes and communities than before.
Futurist, Founder and CEO, Next Big Thing
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