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What Do Consumers Really Think About Buying UK-Made Goods?

Looking to buy UK-made goods? You’re not alone. According to a 2022 survey by Make it British, demand for UK-made products has surged in the wake of the pandemic and Brexit with 69% of UK consumers saying they are more likely to buy British goods now than before.

The benefits of buying UK-made goods are clear to consumers, with the preservation of UK manufacturing, job creation, and reducing carbon footprints being key motivators. And it seems that shoppers are willing to put their money where their mouth is, with 88% of survey respondents saying they would pay more for a product made in the UK, with a third willing to spend up to 20% more.

Made in UK Survey conducted by Make it British in March 2022

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The membership organisation, Make it British, surveyed 1282 UK consumers and 280 businesses that manufacture in the UK, to assess the current demand for British-made products. The survey found that 69% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy products that are made in the UK now than before Brexit and the pandemic, and that they are willing to pay up to 20% more for UK-made goods. The survey also found that 79% of shoppers prefer to buy UK-made products in-store from an independent shop or small business, rather than from big corporations or large online retailers.

When it comes to the reasons why consumers would choose to buy UK-made products, the preservation of UK manufacturing, the desire to create jobs, and lower their carbon footprint were all key considerations, but 90% of survey respondents thought the government could do more to encourage people to buy UK-made goods and support businesses that manufacture in the UK, with many wishing to bring back the ‘Buy British’ campaign from the 1960s.

Kate Hills, the founder of Make it British, said: “Shoppers are really keen to buy made-in-the-UK products now, because they know that there is a direct connection between buying British and growing the UK economy. According to the Office for National Statistics, the sale of UK-made products is currently worth around £359 billion a year, but more could be done by the government to help increase this figure, as demand is definitely there. I’d like to see all government procurement prioritise UK-manufactured goods wherever possible. It would help the UK to meet some of its environmental targets if we weren’t shipping products in from all over the world. “

The most notable findings from the Make it British survey, released to coincide with Made in UK Day on March 9th, include:

  • Four out of five shoppers prefer to buy UK-made products in-store at an independent shop or small business.
  •  69% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy products that are made in the UK now compared to before Brexit and the pandemic.
  • Preserving UK manufacturing, creating job opportunities and boosting the local economy are the top three reasons why shoppers want to buy British.
  • 88% of survey respondents said that they would be willing to pay more for a product if it was made in the UK, with a third saying that they would be willing to spend up to 20% more.
  • 90% of the survey respondents would like to see the UK government do more to encourage people to buy products that are made in the UK.

If you’re among the growing number of UK consumers who want to support local businesses and the UK economy, consider buying UK-made goods whenever possible. And don’t forget to spread the word and encourage others to do the same.