Focus On... Made In Britain

With Brexit’s customs charges, tariffs and returned packages continuing to cause chaos, alongside backlogs and delays and increased freight charges, it’s no surprise that there has been a resurgence of interest in British made products. Added to which is the growing ‘shop local’ trend, with consumers having become more aware of the importance of supporting local businesses. It all adds up to a positive year for British gift manufacturers.

It’s no secret that products with a Made In Britain backstamp or swing tag shout their credentials loud and proud, underlining quality, craftsmanship, authenticity, design, and often heritage too. Driven by demand, retailers are seeking out made in Britain products for their customers, who are keen to discover more about an item’s provenance and carbon footprint before purchasing.

“We have noticed a massive growth in our online business, either through our own website or via our retailers that operate an online offer,” concurs Peter Smith, sales director at Dunoon, which manufactures high quality fine bone china mugs, teapots, cups and saucers in Stone, Staffordshire. “No doubt this is due to shops still being closed, with many UK consumers wanting to order from a UK website being fearful of purchasing from outside UK boundaries, due to the red tape thrown up by Brexit.”

He continues: “In addition, over recent years, we‘ve noticed more and more consumers questioning where products are made, praising us on our product being made in the UK. All this bodes well for the Dunoon UK market despite the current difficulties.”

Also based in Staffordshire, in Stoke on Trent, is Repeat Repeat. “We we have been making our products in Stoke-on-Trent since 1984,” emphasises director Gillian Naylor. “Since then, we have built a loyal customer base of people who appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of our bone china. Even with the availability of cheaper imported products, we have continued to flourish, and what has been noticeable is a resurgence of interest in British made products. Customers are considering the provenance of our wares, with traditional skills made by local people a positive selling point.”

Adds Gillian: “Also, as a result of Covid, people have started to shop local, with the relationship between the shop owner and the customer becoming stronger. Supporting your local independent businesses has become more prominent, as is supporting British makers. Our turnaround is quick and our order qualities are low, so there are no Brexit delays or large minimum order quantities. We are all spending more time at home and people are definitely treating themselves to things of value.”

At Pintail Candles, managing director James Long says that Made in Britain seems to be centring around authenticity. “Generic phrases such as ‘Designed in Britain’ are becoming ‘un-trusted’, as consumers and retailers increasingly want to know where a product is actually made,” points out James.

“Our customers have always loved the fact that our candles are hand poured in a little fishing village in South Lakeland. But over the past year, we have noticed that they are becoming increasingly surprised and

delighted when we tell them that even our wicks and candle tins are British made. As such, Made in Britain or Made in the UK, is central to our brand identity. To promote our candles’ provenance, they are all are marked ‘Handmade in the UK’ and some ranges include a specially designed Made in Britain logo. Additionally, in our Spring & Summer catalogue we feature fragrances which blend the on-trend with a twist of Britishness.”

Donny Carstairs, managing director of homeware and gift supplier Selbrae House in Kirkcaldy, points out that due to Brexit issues, it’s now harder to source products direct from Europe. “Approximately 30% of our sales are/were to retailers in Europe, and therefore adapting and finding solutions to life post Brexit has been a priority for a business like ours, although we’ve managed to do so. It’s also harder and more expensive for UK retailers to trade with, say, France.

So, the result is an easy opening for Made in UK products, which have been gaining momentum for a few years now, although we will have to see whether the UK retailer is feeling more patriotic post Brexit.”

Adds Donny: “In addition, by its nature, the pandemic has brought people back to their roots. Consumers like to know where a purchase has come from and its provenance which favours Made in Britain products. We supply PoS, highlighting ‘handcrafted in the UK’, and a starter pack with imagery suggesting retail layouts to help retailers. Plus, manufacturing in the UK gives us flexibility to adapt to trends quicker, and make only what we need, which saves on waste and makes the whole supply chain more efficient - a cost that is often lost when comparing costs to the importing model.”

At The Somerset Toiletry Company, chairman Sakina Buoy underlines the importance to the company of manufacturing in the UK, but also to using manufacturing facilities abroad. “Made In Britain has always been, and remains, important to us, with regard to making as many of our products as we can in the UK. In fact, we will shortly have very exciting news on a new manufacturing facility we are opening here in Somerset.”

She goes on to explain: “The majority of our main product lines are made in England and I believe there has always been a strong desire to buy British which will continue. However, the pandemic has been a financial disaster for many people, and their first motivation may not be whether something has been made in Britain but whether they can afford it. Having great product should not be exclusively for those with extra money to spend,” she continues. “We all deserve to have beautifully made products with decent formulations that are as good as they can be, no matter the price. Even though our preference is UK made, we do not shy away from using our manufacturing facility in South Africa, or our long term partnership with a factory in China, for some products where price would be prohibitive if made in the UK.”

Victoria Eggs, founder and managing director of her eponymous company, which sells homewares and gifts, says that retailers and consumers already have an increasingly strong appetite for products which are made in Britain, with many retailers now including UK made products as part of their buying strategies.

“The pandemic and lockdown have accelerated the decline in the UK high street, forcing consumers to buy online. However, we have seen an increased desire to buy from independent and local retailers, supporting local communities where possible. Social media campaigns which champion this, such as #smallbusiness, #shoplocal and #shopindependent, are such a huge support and great way for British made products to be discovered.”

Underlines Victoria: “I am passionate about working with members of the British manufacturing community to create our collections, and knowing where our products are made and who makes them is really important to us and our customers. We make it clear on our packaging and products that they are all proudly Made in Britain and we include our brand story. We also offer retailers PoS material, content and a library of product images to help support them as

best we can. This has been increasingly important in the past year as many of our retailers have been improving their online stores during the pandemic.”

With a growing trend for Made In Britain, as well as shorter lead-times and lower volumes, from a gift retailer’s perspective, if the price is right, and with staycations to look forward to in tourist areas, it could turn out to be a ‘great’ British summer!

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest Jewellery & Fashion Accessories to be showcased this month

Return to the Garden By very popular demand, Ashleigh & Burwood has relaunched its extra-long Garden Incense. With herbaceous notes of invigorating citronella, rosemary and thyme essential oils, well known for their insect repellent properties, these giant premium incense sticks are the perfect accompaniment to outdoor picnicking, or entertaining. Ashleigh & Burwood T:01932 267060 E: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk W:www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Personalised Mirrored Glass Oil Burner PMC’s brand new butterfly oil burners bring the outside in and will fill any home with fragrance. With soft greens and a delicate leaf pattern this fully personalised gift is perfect for all occasions. PMC’s website has its full product range for all occasions. PMC T:01782 744900 E: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk W:www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Jewellery For All Occasions If you are looking for something modern and fast selling to add to your offer for 2021, Life Charms would be delighted to discuss becoming a stockist of its jewellery this year. To find out more visit its trade website and register for an account to view everything, including prices. Life Charms T:0203 4882656 E: info@lifecharms.co.uk W:www.lifecharms-trade.co.uk

Hand Sanitiser With A Difference Aqualina’s Smart Hand Sanitiser is not a spray, but a deep cleansing vaporised alcohol, using atomiser technology. It will deliver just the right amount of alcohol cleansing vapor, saving money on traditional pump action dispensers. Voted by Mintel as its favourite Hand Sanitiser of 2020 this Smart Hand Sanitiser is contactless, rechargeable, effective, portable, stylish and easy to use and refill. Aqualina T:01892 457476 E: sales@grangestreet.com W:www.aqualina.co.uk Butterfly Décor Vases Following on from the success of Joe Davies' tree of life collection of vases and home decor it’s happy to introduce a new butterfly design. The design is a simple and pretty butterfly embossed on to a textured background in two different colourways, gunmetal grey and champagne making them a beautiful showpiece to go with any home decor. Joe Davies T:0161 9756300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W:www.joedavies.co.uk