2 minute read - 3rd April 2024
Research shows UK businesses prefer to buy British products over imported alternatives
Almost six in ten businesses (57%) say they prefer to buy British-made products over alternatives imported from other countries, Made in Britain’s fifth annual Buying British survey has found. 79% of UK companies said they recognise the official Made in Britain Trademark amid rising business demand for British products, according to the nationwide research conducted by OnePoll in March 2024.
Preference for British products has risen by 21% over the past year. The two key drivers of buying British sentiment among UK companies are “to help the British economy/support British jobs” (68%) and environmental reasons (62%).
Against this backdrop of rising economic patriotism among UK companies, procurement policies have been changing too. Almost half (48%) of British companies say they have a procurement target for British-made products – up 20% from a year ago. Of those companies that have a procurement target for British-made products, the average target is 48% of all goods purchased, revealing a huge year-on-year increase of 40%. A year ago, the average procurement target for British-made products was 34%.
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57% of businesses say they prefer to buy British-made products over alternatives imported from other countries, Made in Britain’s fifth annual Buying British survey has found / Pciture: Made in Britain
The trade association Made in Britain unites British manufacturers by their licensed use of the collective Trademark – which they display on their physical products and packaging, as well as on their marketing materials (both physical and online) to promote their British provenance.
Of those UK businesses that know the Made in Britain Trademark (79%), nearly two thirds (64%) say they are more inclined to buy a product if they have seen the Trademark on it or associated with it, according to the research.
John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said: “British businesses across the economy have been shifting their focus towards purchasing more UK-manufactured products because they want to support the domestic economy, while at the same time they are increasingly engaged with improving their sustainability practices and looking at the social value of their procurement policies, our research shows. The Made in Britain Trademark is the most widely understood and visually impactful marketing tool that British manufacturers can use to cater to this demand.
“Instantly recognisable and trusted across the British business community, the Made in Britain Trademark has become the official signpost to UK-manufactured goods. Our ever-growing community of manufacturers tell us they proudly display the Trademark for three key reasons – it is the most effective way to communicate what type of company they are; it helps them sell more of what they make; and it bolsters trust and recognition for their brands.”
