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Focus On... Made In Britain
Proud To Be 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
Above: Jura Busy Bees design from Dunoon. Below: Repeat Repeat’s Quinto mini mugs. Bottom: Pintail’s Wild Rose & Rhubarb, part of the Co-ordinate candle range.
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
Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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