As well as being a country with rich history, Britain has produced—and continues to produce—some of the greatest brands in the world. From food to fashion, British brands are thriving in their individual industries and gaining well-deserved followers. Here, we’ll look at just some of the British brands you need to be following right now.
British brands are paving the way for ethical fashion
Sustainability and ethical practices in fashion is not a new concept. Stella McCartney has been championing ‘Respect for Nature’ for years, and chooses to sources materials sustainability and ethically, in a bid to protect the environment for the future. But now, more affordable fashion brands are following in Stella’s footsteps in order to keep up with the increasing demand for ethical and sustainable commerce.
Burgeoning menswear brand Sir Plus, for example, uses surplus materials for its clothing (hence the brand’s puntastic name), reducing the amount of waste produced by the fashion industry. From a humble beginning of making printed boxers to a fully rounded collection including high-quality British wool jumpers, Sir Plus is one of several brands leading the way in sustainable British fashion.
British convenience food is more sustainable than ever
In our fast-paced society where time is at a premium, many people are looking for meals that are convenient and quick. But these time-saving meals aren’t always healthy for consumers. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 63% of UK adults are overweight, double the rate from two decades earlier.
In an effort to make healthy eating more accessible, even for those who are pressed for time, companies like online meal-kit service Gousto have begun delivering recipe cards straight to consumers’ doors, along with every ingredient they need to make the meals. This removes the stress of shopping, while still ensuring fresh, homemade meals. Over the past year, Gousto has been focused on growing as a brand, and in 2017, their revenue increased by almost 100%. The company currently delivers over a million meals every month, and recently raised a further £28.5 million in funding to continue growing.
And for those who really don’t have time, or simply want a healthy snack, Huel produces powdered meals, filled with all the macronutrients and micronutrients your body needs. You simply need to mix the powder with water to create a healthy shake, though the company have recently branched out into solid foods such as granola. The vegan powders also last for months at a time, which saves you money in the long run as you’re not having to throw away unused products. Since launching in 2015, Huel has become one of the fastest growing companies in Britain, and boasts A-list fans around the world, including One Direction’s Niall Horan. In 2017, the firm turned over £14 million in revenue, which is only expected to grow in future years.
British alcohol is becoming an industry leader
The number of drinkers in the UK has dropped gradually since 2005, but the way people are drinking has changed. Gin has begun to dominate bar menus over the past few years and ow, more small-batch, independent, and locally produced gins are being made, thanks to a legal battle won by Sipsmith in 2009, which allowed gin-making to be carried out on a small scale—not just an industrial one. More consumers than ever before are enjoying these artisan gins, clearly shown by the successes of these small brands. East London Liquor Company, for example, recently raised more than £850,000 within 24 hours of launching its crowdfunding campaign to the public—despite having an initial target of £750,000. Today, the gin can be found in select Waitrose stores around East London, and aims to start trading internationally by the end of 2018.
And it’s not just gin that Brits are producing exceptionally well. English wines are gaining popularity, and the sparkling wines produced here even trumped champagne at the 2018 Sommelier Wine Awards. Specifically, Kent-based vineyard Gusbourne Estate managed to score a silver award for its 2013 Brut Reserve, as well as a commendation for its 2013 Blanc de Blancs.
British brands are becoming more and more popular, turning into industry leaders across a wide range of sectors. From fashion to food and drink, many brands are paving the way with their own twists on traditional industries, in keeping with consumer behaviour.
