A study by online auction site eBay has shown an increase in overseas consumers looking to buy British, compared with twelve months ago, thanks to positive perceptions of quality and good customer service.
Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the small businesses eBay spoke to claim Brand Britain is as strong as ever – and a powerful driver of British exports.
The eBay for Business Index reveals export optimism among British small businesses, with one in ten planning to enter new markets this year. Over 200,000 small businesses currently trade on eBay in the UK, with 93 per cent exporting overseas to an average of 20 different countries.
However, the survey highlighted the threat of protectionism to exporters: 32% of those surveyed claimed the rise of protectionist policies would harm their ability to trade overseas.
Gareth Jones, Marketing Director at eBay in the UK said: ‘Small business exports have had a strong twelve months, powered by the lower pound but crucially by the power of ‘Brand Britain’. The UK is going through a period of change that has led to fears that our image abroad could be harmed. But the business fundamentals of Brand Britain remain strong: trusted, quality products and good customer service.
‘Small businesses are benefiting from this association and boosting their export plans to take advantage. This is good news for the economy and for eBay in the UK, which hosts over 200,000 of these enterprises, giving access to a global customer base of over 164 million people.’