UK fashion and beauty businesses embark on first sales mission to India at IFF: UK Government

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Feb 28, 2023

A UK delegation of fashion and beauty businesses have travelled to India to forge industry links and promote their products in the country at the India Fashion Forum 2023. The delegation was organised by the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade. 

The delegation is the first of its kind and is designed to capitalise on Indian demand for high-class beauty and fashion products, the UK government announced in a media release on its website on February 27. The delegation includes natural personal care and beauty brand Lush, knitwear brand John Smedley, as well as Raishma Ready to Wear Limited, Wormser, Organic Apoteke, Lilly & Sid, Legology, Venia Cosmetic Limited, Benny Hancock, Jennifer Young Limited, and ByErim Limited among others. 

“India’s growing economy and middle class represents an enormous opportunity for enterprising UK companies looking for new markets,” said UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, the UK government reported on its website. “Removing barriers to business and boosting exports are two of my top trade priorities and I’m eager to make it easier and faster to do business with India through the free trade deal we’re currently negotiating.”

According to the UK government, the UK and India currently enjoy a “strong trade relationship” and bilateral trade totalled £34 billion (in the year to the third quarter of 2022). The countries’ investment relationship supports more than half a million jobs in both economies and India accounts for 1.7% of all UK exports. 
 
The IFF kicked off in Bengaluru on February 28 as a business-to-business trade event. “Lush is very happy to take part in this trade mission and we’re confident that in India, with its deep roots in natural cosmetics, we can find a partner that lives our ethics,” said Mena Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics’ managing director Anita Baker. “India has the opportunity to be a very sizeable market and we aim to give our Indian shoppers the amazing customer experience they expect from visiting our shops around the world.”