International consumers are increasingly interested in UK fashion brands according to new research. The number of online mobile searches for UK brands from non-EU countries increased by 13% year on year in the first quarter of this year. And interestingly, when it comes to the European Union, Italian consumers are most attracted to UK-based fashion brands. And Italy is supposed to be the home of fashion.
Compared to the same period in 2017, the number of searches from Italian consumers grew 31% in the first three months of this year. This is from by research from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Online retail search activity maintained its growth trajectory into 2018 reflecting a continued consumer trend to shop online.Fashion saw the highest growth in search, as international consumers sought out UK fashion brands online. With beauty also seeing high search activity from UK based consumers. We can expect online retail search activity to maintain this upward growth trend as retailers continue to invest in improving their online offering for consumers.
– Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium
As the UK faces Brexit, it’s heartening that foreign shoppers (especially the Italians) love what we have to offer and it’s good for online merchants in particular. Fashion remains one of the most significant verticals for ecommerce merchants and it looks sure to grow.
And, of course, UK fashion does have many fans of the numerous iconic brands we produce. Other countries that particularly appreciate the UK rag trade include Japan and China. And its good to know that despite current problems that there is a ready export market available that is doubtless also enjoying the weakness of sterling, making exports ever more attractive.
Are you a UK fashion seller and how are your sales? Are you enjoying success right now? We’d love to learn more so do comment.
