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Over 5,000 UK firms paused export plans over Brexit, but are they being too cautious?

Over 5,000 UK companies paused exporting plans in 2016 as a result of the Brexit referendum result.

That’s according to research released last month by academics at Cambridge, whose report also suggested that nearly 4,000 companies actively stopped exporting over uncertainty surrounding future trade rules and border taxes.

Academics Meredith Crowley, Oliver Exton and Lu Han predict that the resultant pause or cease of export activity from the combined 9,000 firms took 1% off Britain’s exports for the year, more concerning with the potential for those exporters to have become major international sellers as new markets and agreements were explored.

“We estimate that the decline in entry reduced the value of exports by between £226m and £1.4bn in 2016, a small total value relative to total exports to the EU in 2016 of £140bn.”

How to balance Brexit export fears with growth plans

The big question facing UK companies that are either planning to start selling abroad or already current are is, what do we do next?

With the torrid nature of current negotiations taking place in Brussels and the various levels of hard and soft Brexit’s potentially on offer, you can see where the 9,000 businesses deciding to retain what they have instead of pushing for international growth are coming from.

There are three potential trains of thought that business heads can ponder;

  1. Retreat and retain
  2. Keep calm and carry on
  3. Accelerate global growth plans

Retreat for the businesses noted in the Cambridge report was the clearly the winning (whilst losing) option on the table.

What business owners need to remember is that the EU want a deal, and EU businesses want to trade with UK companies. Only last month we wrote about another report highlighting how demand for British food and drinks products are surging – up 10% in just 12 months.

For those leaning towards the keeping calm and pressing on line of thinking, it’s also worth noting that total exports last year reached a record £616bn. If your competitors are losing their nerve and leaving the export market, particularly within the EU block, that’s one huge opportunity just waiting for you to sweep in and take.

And for ambitious firms looking to grow through the potential pot-holed road ahead, British exports to non-EU states are on the rise and demand is growing, with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox noting that: “British goods remain in global demand as exports to non-EU countries continue to grow.

“It shows the confidence the world has in our goods and is important as 90% of growth in global trade will come from outside the EU.”

Getting the right support

There is no doubt about it, BREXIT is going to be a challenge for all EU companies that export either from the UK or into the UK. The simplicity of the Single Market and Customs Union has been taken for granted and there is a generation of business people out there which has never experienced the headaches of customs declarations, duties, VAT payable on import, deferment numbers, apostilles, Chamber of Commerce attestations.

Go Exporting’s Brexit consultancy can help you navigate the minefield. Find out more about our Brexit consultancy.

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UK exports reach record high

The UK’s global exports reached a record £616bn last year with both goods and services seeing marked growth.

Exports to non-EU countries in 2017 were valued a £342bn, 55% of total export value, with £274bn in EU exports.

Good exports soared 13% to £339bn over the year, whilst services increased 7% to £277bn.

Interestingly, key growth markets for UK exporters since the turn of the decade include Macedonia, up 318% to a value of £1bn, and Kazakhstan by over 200% to £2bn. The fastest growth market was Oman where exports have increased by over 350% to £3bn since 2010.

Nearly one-fifth of all exports were sold to the US.

Data from the Office for National Statistics highlight an overall trade deficit of £25.8bn (reduced by £5bn) but an increasingly positive picture so far in 2018 with exports growth of 5% in H1 and a service-sector trade surplus of £111bn.

‘British goods remain in global demand as exports to non-EU countries continue to grow’

liam fox business brexit

International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, said that: “British goods remain in global demand as exports to non-EU countries continue to grow.

“It shows the confidence the world has in our goods and is important as 90% of growth in global trade will come from outside the EU.

Read more: Dragon’s Den host Evan Davis talks business after Brexit

“As an international economic department, we have a dynamic and experienced team who will negotiate free trade deals and make a success of Brexit.

“We’re also supporting UK businesses in exporting more and talking to international businesses on why we should be the top destination for investment.”

Nagging Brexit Uncertainty

But despite UK export performance over the last 18 months defying expectations, Fox noted Brexit and a potential no-deal scenario still looms large.

“I think the intransigence of the commission is pushing us towards no deal.

“We have set out the basis in which a deal can happen but if the EU decides that the theological obsession of the unelected is to take priority over the economic well-being of the people of Europe then it’s a bureaucrats’ Brexit – not a people’s Brexit – then there is only going to be one outcome.

“It’s up to the EU27 to determine whether they want the EU Commission’s ideological purity to be maintained at the expense of their real economies.”

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Dragons’ Den host Evan Davis talks business and Brexit

Dragons’ Den presenter and economist Evan Davis says nobody really knows what direction business after Brexit will go and many are still waiting to see what Brexit actually means.

In a radio interview with New Zealand-based NewstalkZB, Davis spoke extensively on Britain’s business uncertainty post-Brexit.

The famed presenter and host of predominantly startup and SME business investment programme Dragons’ Den, the first question put to Davis was; ‘Is Britain an entrepreneurial country’?

“Probably not enough. Where we don’t seem to do so well is building those businesses up to £100 billion values. We create great businesses and then they get sold off.

“There seems to be some gap where we struggle to build up the giant.

“But I will say this. London now is seen as a hub of a lot of entrepreneurial activity, particularly around FinTech because we have the finance. It’s a great place to do business.

Business after Brexit

“Nobody knows how far or in what direction it (business) will change.

“The good news for entrepreneurs with Brexit is that Britain can become more nimble. We can change our rules on driverless car testing and all sorts of things.

“The bad news would be on migration. The degree to which Brexit represented a vote against easy come and go policies. If businesses are trying to get together a group of international staff, that might be a problem.

Read more: UK SMEs planning to increase European exports despite Brexit

“And then, of course, we all know in business psychology is important. There’s a feeling among some Europeans that ‘we’re not welcome’. It’s a sort of visceral thing ahead of a rational thing.

“But we’re all agog to see what Brexit actually means!

“What has happened is we’ve encountered quite a lot of difficult problems, including the Irish border problem.

“Britain voted to be more of a nation and set its own rights to set its own product regulations and tariffs and taxes and no border, but then at the same time, we’ve decided we absolutely don’t want a border (in Ireland).

“We’re not much closer to solving the conundrum.

“The British government view and Brexiteer argument was let’s do it (go out and secure trade deals).“

Davis then concluded by noting that, no matter how much lamb and vino could be traded between New Zealand and the UK, it wouldn’t account for the potential lost trade with the EU.

“For some reason, you seem to do a lot more trade with those close to you…”

Listen to the full interview below.

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EU, Japan sign free trade agreement covering 3rd of planet’s GDP

The EU and Japan have signed a mammoth free trade deal, creating the world’s biggest economic area, and the biggest trade agreement either has ever committed to.

The deal covers a 3rd of the world’s GDP and will act as a timely counterweight to Trump’s tariffs on trade into the US which included 25% tariffs on Chinese goods worth over $34 billion.

The early winners of the trade deal are the Japanese car market with the new Japan-EU trade deal eliminating 10% car tariffs and 3% tariffs on car parts, whilst 30% duty on cheese and 15% on wine have also been cut. EU exporters will also be keen to exploit new markets within Japan too, with strong demand for high-quality cheese, chocolate, pasta and meats.

Of the deal, Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe noted that: “There are rising concerns about protectionism, but I want Japan and the EU to lead the world by bearing the flag of free trade.”

“We are sending a clear message that we stand against protectionism. The EU and Japan remain open for cooperation,” added Donald Tusk.

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UK SMEs planning to increase European exports despite Brexit

New research has suggested that British businesses are more optimistic about trading with the EU than last year, despite recent stumbling blocks surrounding Brexit.

The survey, conducted annually by OFX, found that 62% of 500 business owners felt confident about doing business outside of the UK, with 46% of SMEs saying Brexit had no effect on their desire to grow through exports in the future.

Just 15% said they were more cautious about international trade.

And it’s not just a thought or feeling, the real-life figures support what SMEs are saying:

47% increase in overseas sales since last year
Average international revenues for businesses top £50,000
21% increase in foreign cash transfers in last year from British SMEs

Eurozone still more popular than commonwealth for exporters

exporting in europe

Perhaps the most surprising stats from the research was that the Eurozone is still the preferred trading block for local businesses, despite the slow progress and uncertainty over Brexit negotiations.

45% of those polled said Western Europe is their favoured market, boosted on last year by the securing of a Brexit transition deal to help firms plan ahead in the short to medium term.

And what about US trade after the introduction of Trump’s tariffs? Interest in exporting into our American friends has plummeted, down 26% compared to last year to 36%.

Opinion was split on the value of and optimism towards Commonwealth trade in the future.

FX research director at OFX, Jake Trask said that: “More than a year after Article 50 was triggered, small businesses have learnt to live with Brexit uncertainty, and refuse to let it limit their European ambitions.

Read more: Export partnerships growing fastest with China & Switzerland for UK firms

“Despite the slow progress of Brexit negotiations, businesses are increasingly optimistic about trade with Western Europe – suggesting a desire to keep calm and carry on with international business, along with a quiet optimism that all will be well.”

SMEs around Britain require more support

small business brexit

What businesses outside of the capital say they need most is international trade consultancy. 50% of companies in Wales said there wasn’t enough export support, whilst only 40% of businesses in Scotland said they felt confident about selling overseas.

But with demand for the British brand so high on the continent, and across the world, small businesses around the UK have so much growth potential if they can bridge the gap between UK-base and international customer.

One growing area in which SMEs are succeeding in this area is e-commerce, with many local firms selling fashion, homewares and software across the world.

One such small firm, menswear brand Tails, does just that. Co-director Joshua Williams noted that: “Today, we make almost all our sales online, with more than half our customers based outside the UK. Local heritage and family history are both central to our brand, and we’re lucky that the internet has made it possible to grow our business abroad without losing our Welsh roots.

Read more: Businesses react to the week in Brexit

“We have sometimes had to travel for specialist guidance, but it’s a minor inconvenience when compared to the huge advantages and quality of life we gain by running our business in Penarth.”

British businesses should leverage their unique heritage and get out there into the world to seek growth opportunities. 53% of local exporting firms say that their ‘Britishness’ is a valuable selling point on the international stage, especially within US, New Zealand, Australian and Russian markets.

If export advice is needed, companies like us at Go Exporting are on-hand to support exporting plans from planning and research to execution.

Find out more about how Go Exporting can help your business here.

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Businesses react to the week in Brexit

They say there’s never a dull week in politics, but it’ll take one heck of a week to top the one we’ve had so far.

Within the last seven days, we’ve had the Chequers agreement, an agreed-upon way forward within the Cabinet. But just days later and we’re listening to a new Brexit secretary and foreign secretary too.

Dominic Raab’s views on human rights and workers rights are well documented, indeed in his own book, but early signs are that business groups are impressed following early meetings with the new man at the spearhead of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

The British Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Directors, Confederation of British Industry and EEF had all woken up the day previous preparing for a meeting with David Davis. But just 24-hours later and it was the new Brexit secretary in front of them discussing the future of the country.

Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors, said: “It was encouraging to meet the new secretary of state within hours of his appointment, it demonstrates a commitment to engaging with the business community as we approach crunch time in these negotiations.

“The meeting was constructive and we are pleased he is keen to pursue a Brexit that is receptive to the needs of business.

“We are now keen to see the imminent white paper build on the Chequers statement, and look forward to working with the Brexit secretary as negotiations proceed with renewed impetus.”

Another present at the meeting said that: “It was really positive that a new Cabinet secretary kept his commitment with business leaders on his first full day in the role. That is an important statement of intent, in terms of willingness to meet with business and getting the right Brexit deal.”

“The sense was very much one of pragmatism and being signed up to the Chequers approach.”

London more confident in Brexit

New figures published today (Tuesday 10th) also highlight the growing confidence in Brexit from the business community, despite the very recent upheaval in government.

The figures are, for the first time since the referendum result, neutral. The balance of companies in London stating they are optimistic rose 10 points to zero, according to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Read more: End date published for ‘backstop’ EU trade plan post-Brexit

Bigger businesses were more confident though, with SMEs still more concerned than not.

And it’s not just businesses which have reported positive outlooks of late. Only last week, BoE governor Mark Carney stated his ‘greater confidence’ that the UK economy will bounce back from a sluggish first quarter, signalling a likely rate rise in the not-so-distant future, but also stimulating a jump in sterling’s value as a result of his speech.

“The incoming data have given me greater confidence that the softness of UK activity in the first quarter was largely due to the weather, not the economic climate,” Carney said, before firing a warning to Trump over trade tariffs.

So, it’s been even by the UK’s political and Brexit standards a crazy week so far, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been a bad one from a business standpoint. Brexit should get moving now the cabinet has a plan in principle, and a warning that deviating from the plan will no longer be tolerated. Perhaps Raab will spend more than the four hours Davis spent directly negotiating with Michel Barnier in the coming weeks alone.

And here’s hoping the new foreign secretary doesn’t have the same ‘f–k business’ attitude as the last one.

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Export partnerships growing fastest with China & Switzerland for UK firms

A new study has found that Britain’s fastest-growing export partners are Switzerland and China.

The research, commissioned by Wyelands Bank, found that countries in the Asian Pacific dominate the growth charts with Switzerland topping the chart.

Overall, China leads in terms of projected growth with an additional $886m in trade expected on-top of $24.6bn last year, with growth rate forecasts level with Switzerland at 3.6% over the next three years.

Other nations where high export growth is expected through to 2021 include Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and South Korea.

 

Rank (fastest growing) Country Growth rate a year to 2021 Value in 2017 (US$) Project growth (value US$)
1 Switzerland 3.6 per cent $23.6bn $850m
2 China 3.6 per cent $24.6bn $886m
3 Saudi Arabia 2.9 per cent $7.8bn $226m
4 Hong Kong 1.2 per cent $9.1bn $109m
5 South Korea 1.1 per cent $5.9bn $65m
Total $71bn $2.1bn

 

Exports in the top five export growth partnership nations totalled $71bn last year with an additional combined $2.1bn expected to add to that figure, which includes selling both products and exporting services.

UK firms already focusing outside of EU block?

Whilst Europe remains the UK’s primary export partner, totalling 46%, the insight that the Asia Pacific marketplace is growing for British businesses indicates a potentially positive trend ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU.

Increasing trade with what are currently regions which account for a small amount of Britain’s total export value is one of the key aims after Brexit with new trade deals being negotiated. What this research suggests is that Britain’s businesses are already doing it, although further stimulus is certainly required with the second highest expectant growth market, South America, forecast to generate just 0.5% export value growth by 2021.

Read more: Strong appetite for British food and drink overseas

Commenting on the research, CEO of Wyelands Bank, Iain Hunter said that: “Behind these headline economic figures, trade is important because it creates jobs. It has helped to contribute to the UK’s record employment levels, providing financial security for millions of families up and down the country.

“However, in order for businesses to succeed, they need working capital. It is only by providing better access to funding that we can support businesses to trade, grow and create jobs.”

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Strong appetite for British food and drinks overseas

It seems to be one of the longest running international jokes – Britain has bad food. That thinking may be true with tourists, but for international businesses, demand for British food and beverages is stronger than ever. In fact, global appetite for British food and drink has continued to strengthen by over 10% in under 12 months.

This is according to research by GS1 UK as part of its ‘Brits Abroad: UK Food & Drink Exports 2018’ study. The headline stats from the research are that export of British food and beverages was up 12% in the year to November 2017, with alcohol exports up a very impressive 16%.

And with the British food and drink export market valued at around £22bn, this research indicates an additional £2.6bn in transactions.

A focus on export growth

GS1 UK’s research also indicated that exporting currently comprises a larger proportion of businesses’ overall output and activity than it did half a decade ago, with returns to match. Revenue from exports grew 4% to 15% compared to 2013 for those surveyed, showcasing how a focus on developing export markets can add significant growth to overall takings.

Perhaps the most recognised UK beverage firm taking full advantage of international trade opportunities and marketability of a ‘made in Britain’ tag is Fever-Tree which sells to 60 buyers internationally.

And despite Brexit looming, confidence in exporting remains defiantly positive. In fact, food and drink manufacturers expect export sales to account for nearly a quarter of their business within the next five years. Just one in three said they were concerned that trade with EU partners would stutter as a result of any negotiated trade deal.

Read more: British business beyond the Customs Union

CEO of GS1 UK, Gary Lynch commented that: “British produce remains a byword for excellence around the world and our food and drink is exported to the four corners of the globe.

“With official Government figures showing that £22bn of it was sent overseas in 2017, there is clearly a lasting taste for British products and our members have optimistic expectations for the coming years.

“Whisky and salmon are very much our export staples, but the thirst for our beer and gin also continues to intensify.”

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SMEs wary of exporting due to limited capacity & capability

A new report from the Department for International Trade has found that a large portion of British small and medium-sized businesses aren’t open to exporting their products due to a lack of confidence in their own capacity and capability.

The research, which quizzed firms with annual turnovers of over £500,000, found that smaller businesses are less likely to look at exporting as an option compared to larger companies, despite 73% saying they believe that demand for British products and services is strong across the globe.

A quarter even said they were unsure where to go for export consultancy, support or international trade consultancy.

A lack of ambition despite a growing exporting trend?

Whilst it’s admirable for some SMEs to candidly state their own lack of current capacity to begin exporting into new territories, perhaps the most disappointing fact is that 25% say they don’t know where to turn to get the expert support they need to grow through exports.

This is especially true when you take into account the latest analysis released from HMRC this month which found that the number of businesses exporting from the UK has increased over 4% since last year, with the average sales value for each exporter so far in 2018 valued at £750,000.

Here’s a breakdown by country:

Goods exports from England increased by 6.5% to £244.6 billion
Goods exports from Scotland increased by 12.1% to £28.8 billion
Goods exports from Wales increased by 7.1% to £16.4 billion
Goods exports from Northern Ireland increased by 4.9% to £8.5 billion

International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox said of the figures that: “As we continue our path to Brexit, HMRC’s latest figures clearly show every part of the UK making the most of global opportunities as goods exports rise across the country. More than 100,000 businesses are expanding their horizons and making the most of the demand for quality British goods.”

Getting the right advice from research to implementation

exporting

The combined data from HMRC and DIT suggest two things; UK companies are increasingly interested in exporting and the opportunities it offers, but some are still wary about their own ability to export and finding the right advice.

Read more: British business beyond the Customs Union

That’s where experts like Go Exporting can really make a difference for firms that do have a great product or service offering, ambitions for their business to take it overseas but just need the right guidance, support and international knowledge.

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Russia: the emerging market opportunity for luxury travel providers

The World Cup in Russia has officially begun with the host nation kicking-off in style with a 5-star and five-goal performance.

All the talk in the run-up to the World Cup has been about how prepared the nation is to host such a tournament and, most importantly, the safety of those travelling into the country to cheer on their national sides.

But with all the talk of people visiting Russia, one report published recently shone a little light on how Russians are leaving the country. Not leaving for good – we’re talking travel and tourism. Luxury tourism at that.

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism FROM Russia is booming – up 13% in 2017 with huge increases expected this summer too – interestingly coinciding with the World Cup itself.

The luxury element comes in the form of the hotels that those travelling from Russia are booking, predominantly 4 and 5 stars. In fact, bookings in the luxury hotel bracket could be set to surge by 167% this summer.

Data from UNWTO is also backed-up by online activity from Russia, which uses Yandex as its predominant search engine.

Giulio Gargiullo, an expert in the Russian luxury sector, noted that a stabilising economy in Russia in recent months has led to an increase in Russians travelling into Europe in particular as online searches for 4 and 5-star accommodation abroad increases.

He said that: “…the number of searches carried out by Russians on Yandex, the main Russian search engine, for luxury hotels in the 4 or 5-star category (has grown). In the 5-star category, we witness a percentage increase in online searches of 167.4% between July 2016 and July 2017 with 337,700 online searches. An even greater increase is expected in the coming months, peaking in July 2018.

Read more: 5 potentially lucrative export markets

“Similarly, in the 4-star category, 107,607 online searches were carried out in July 2016 and 193,997 in July 2017 showing a percentage increase of 80.3%, and there is even greater growth in searches and online bookings for 2018 with the maximum peak occurring during the month of July.”

Spend from Russians whilst travelling abroad has also soared, splashing out $31bn worldwide last year. A figure that’s got luxury travel providers across the continent sitting up and paying notice. Perhaps making sure their websites have Russian translations available too.

Recognising emerging trends

russian tourism

If you offer a product or service that’s consumer-focused in particular, recognising emerging markets such as the luxury Russian tourism market can be critically important for the future growth of your business.

Why? Because your competitors may have yet seen the trend and you could steal a march on them, especially if you’re a smaller player in a saturated marketplace.

Read more: three things to consider when marketing abroad

Analysing search-trend data is a good starting point, but knowing how to quickly capitalise on an emerging opportunity is just as important.

If you’re looking for new potential markets to explore and exploit for your business, get in touch with us today and find out how we can help you not only recognise and analyse emerging trends but also quickly capitalise on them with an implementation strategy.

Start a conversation here.

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