The Home & Gift Association has met with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to discuss growth, exports, regulation and support for small businesses across the UK’s home and gift sector.
A key focus of the meeting was international growth, with DBT outlining opportunities for UK businesses through partnerships with major online marketplaces in regions including Latin America and the Middle East. The Association welcomed further collaboration to help members access new customers and export markets.
The importance of trade shows as a driver of business growth was also discussed. The Association highlighted the need to attract more international buyers to UK exhibitions, while sharing plans for a new Trade Fair Council to explore ways of reducing participation barriers for smaller businesses, including rising exhibition and operational costs.
Regulation was another major topic, with the Association raising concerns around packaging requirements, sustainability legislation and the impact of evolving EU regulations on UK businesses trading internationally. DBT requested further industry evidence to help inform future policy discussions.
Government-backed initiatives including the Business Growth Service, Growth Guarantee Scheme, Start Up Loans, British Business Bank finance programmes and Help to Grow: Management were also highlighted as potential sources of support for businesses.
Gemma Sault, Managing Director of the Home & Gift Association, said the meeting provided an important opportunity to ensure the experiences of small businesses were being heard by government.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue, including further information sharing on regulation, international opportunities, trade events and sector challenges.
For the UK’s predominantly small and independent home and gift businesses, the Association says continued engagement with government will be important in helping the sector navigate regulatory pressures while unlocking opportunities for future growth and international trade.
www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk
