3 UK shares to consider as a long-term investment for retirement

Our writer identifies three UK shares with long-term growth potential he believes investors should think about holding until retirement and beyond.

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To retire comfortably, I’m searching for the best UK shares for long-term growth.

The UK market’s uniquely positioned to provide a stable foundation for long-term investment. Some of the top British stocks in 2025 have been around for over 100 years, delivering consistent value to investors since the 17th century.

Such well-established companies offer an excellent foundation to build on.

Should you invest £1,000 in Diageo right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Diageo made the list?

See the 6 stocks

I’ve identified three FTSE 100 shares that fit the criteria, each boasting a strong dividend history, global reach, broad diversification and a sustainable business model.

Company Dividend YieldRevenue Growth Key Strengths Risk Factors
Unilever3.5% ~7%Global reach Cost inflation
Diageo3.1%~6% Brand loyaltyEconomic sensitivity
Tesco3.3%~4.4%Market dominanceIndustry competition

A consumer goods giant

Unilever’s (LSE: ULVR) a consumer goods giant with a a £114.2bn market-cap and a diverse portfolio of globally recognised brands. The shares are up from around £10 in 2005 to £45 today, with revenue in 2023 reaching almost £60bn. Over the past 20 years, it’s held a consistent yield of around 3% with annual dividend growth of around 5% a year.

A key attraction is its stable and defensive nature. Historically, it’s remained resilient during economic downturns. 

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Unilever PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

But it still faces challenges. Rising inflation has revealed flaws in its model, with cash-strapped consumers opting for lower-cost alternatives. If it fails to address changes in economic behaviour, it risks losing market share to competitors.

It recently announced a restructuring effort to save £670m which includes 7,500 job cuts and the sale of its ice cream brands Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum.

A global brand leader

Diageo‘s (LSE: DGE) a worldwide distributor of premium alcoholic beverages, flaunting a portfolio of famous brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker. Its focus on emerging markets in Asia and Africa has helped drive profits in recent years.

For over 20 years, dividends have grown at an average annual rate of 5.4%, achieving a yield between 2% and 4%.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Diageo Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

However, the company risks losses as inflation has led to consumers shying away from premium brands. Revenue declined from £17.1bn to £16.1bn last year, bringing down net income by 17.5%. This trend’s exacerbated by the growing popularity of healthier, alcohol-free lifestyles among younger generations.

To avoid losing market share, a shift in focus to healthier products may be necessary.

A retail giant

Tesco’s the country’s leading supermarket chain, with over 4,270 stores across Europe. It commands a dominant market share and enjoys high turnover. As a highly defensive stock, it benefits from steady consumer demand even when the economy dips.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Tesco Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Revenue for 2023 came in at £68.19bn with an operating profit margin of around 3.8%. Its dividend yield sits around 4.3% and is well-covered by cash flow with a long history of payments.

Recently, it’s come under pressure to improve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions, resulting in higher operational costs and threatening profits. While this may limit short-term price growth, the long-term benefits are worth it.

Compounding returns

When thinking of retirement, the power of compounding returns cannot be understated. It makes it possible to snowball a small investment into something huge. Plus, focusing on multi-year gains (rather than monthly) helps avoid panic-selling during minor dips or short-term volatility.

I believe the above three stocks are worth considering for investors looking to achieve long-term growth.

But what does the head of The Motley Fool’s investing team think?

Should you invest £1,000 in Diageo right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets.

And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Diageo made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Mark Hartley has positions in Diageo Plc, Tesco Plc, and Unilever. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Diageo Plc, Tesco Plc, and Unilever. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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