(Last updated: 6 Aug 2010)

Introduction

Shared history, shared language and a significant population base make the UK an attractive market for Australian food companies. However, because the UK offers favourable trading terms to other EU members, food and beverage companies from non-EU countries such as Australia have to be more competitive, more innovative and more appealing to succeed.

We can provide you with information and search tools from which you can begin to do some preparatory self-research and market comparisons with other goods occupying the shelf space you wish to target. We’ll also provide you with some tips on how to develop your UK market entry strategy plus details of key UK trade and consumer events.

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Steps to success in the UK

1. Preparing for the UK market: the grocery retail environment and developing your USP for the UK – Our information sheet will help you understand the issues and trends in the UK so that you can make an informed decision about whether the UK is the right market for you.
2. Prepare your pricing model: what to include and how to build one – our information sheet, Webcast and Excel tools for both food and wine will help you understand how UK import/excise duties, indicative margins/mark-ups and VAT will affect your product’s UK shelf price and tips on price benchmarking.
3. Finding and pitching to a potential UK business partner: who and how – this information sheet will help you consider the various elements to build a compelling sales pitch for when you engage with potential UK importers/distributors or retailers.
4. Labelling: getting it right – an overview and links to key areas of legislation relating to labelling and health claims in the UK.

Additional information

• Visiting the UK market – self-guided grocery retail familiarisation tour you can use when visiting the UK to research the market.

Contact details

The Australian Trade Commission – Austrade – is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency.

Through Austrade’s network of offices in over 50 countries, we assist Australian companies to succeed in international business, attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promote Australia's education sector internationally.

For more information on how Austrade can assist you, contact us on:

Australia ph: 13 28 78 | Email: info@austrade.gov.au

A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is also available.