Source British is a new boutique trade show taking place in Los Angeles, California 13 – 14 March 2017. Backed by exhibition organiser Upper Street Events, the event provides a platform for UK brands across homeware, gifts, fashion, accessories and shoes to access the US market and meet buyers from across the West Coast, Mid West and wider USA. The unique selling points of British heritage, high quality craftsmanship and innovation in design provide huge opportunities for British brands.
The event has already confirmed many British brands including Molly Mac Living, Yellow Barley Limited (Love Jars), The Cheeky Monkey Company, Owen Barry, Jolly Awesome, Peak & Brim Designer Hats, Nadia Minkoff, Animo Glass and Sarah Greaves Limited. Co-located with LA Fashion Market, the event already has access to 4,000 US buyers and distributors. Research to this audience showed a strong desire for a British tradeshow in the market with 97% stating they would want to attend.
Source British held an ‘Importing Guide to the US’ information day in October with London Ethnic and speakers from Department for International Trade (previously UKTI), UK Fashion & Textile Association, Made in Britain, UPS, Briffa, Smart Currency and SAP Anywhere. There were some very interesting view points on the impact of Brexit on the US market and the strength of ‘Brand Britain’ in the US.
Olivett Asare, Event Director concluded after the event “Many US buyers want to trade in sterling post Brexit as the rates are more in their favour – a great benefit for businesses wanting to export to the US now. They want British brands with provenance and a strong brand story”.
Research from Entering the US Retail Market by Martin Harrison shows “US consumers are hungry for British style, though awareness of most British brands is still low”. Paul Alger, Director of International Business Development – UKFT and speaker at the event confirms “The US is a major market for UK companies but many US buyers do not like to travel. It is, therefore, vitally important for UK brands to invest time and attention on the US market”.
A platform such as Source British provides a unique platform for UK brands wanting to do just this, invest time and meet face-to-face with US buyers who have already stated an interest in buying British brands.
