UK luxury is a byword for quality, creativity and heritage. By harnessing the storied histories of their brands to sustainable, forward-looking business practices, these companies are the platonic ideal of the best of British business. It is a £81bn powerhouse industry, which supports 454,000 jobs across the UK and generates 3.7% of UK GDP. Its highly innovative, creative, export-led approach is a driver of growth and prosperity for the UK while promoting British design and craftsmanship to the world.
A creative expression of excellence
First and foremost, luxury businesses pride themselves on their creativity.
Innovation and expert craftsmanship are at the heart of what luxury means. Whether a beautifully designed piece of furniture, an expertly crafted cocktail or even the highly personal way a member of hotel staff can set each guest at ease during their stay, luxury is a creative expression of excellence that delivers the best experience possible to the customer.
This commitment is present in a wide range of businesses in the UK, both in services and goods, from Automotive to Fashion, Food & Drink to Hospitality.
Business Practices
A growing Sector
United by a business model, the UK’s world-leading luxury sector is a significant driver of prosperity across the country. As well as delivering growth it also contributes to our soft power overseas, and supports the creative and culture sector.
Over the last 5 years, UK luxury has grown at a rate of 11% a year, nearly three times the UK’s growth rate. What is more, this already successful sector is projected to grow even further. With the right support, the sector could be worth £125bn by 2028.
Contributions to the Exchequer
The UK luxury sector contributes £25.5bn to the Exchequer (based on direct and indirect employment)
Exports
The UK luxury sector's total exports are £56bn, up 45% in 5 years
Growth
The UK luxury sector is growing at a rate of 11% annually
Turnover
The UK luxury sector is forecast to be worth between £105bn to £135bn by 2028
British Luxury Stories
A series of short films that uncover the untold stories of UK’s most innovative luxury brands, Love Letters was produced for Walpole by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions and supported by the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign.
Determined not to let British watch craftsmanship become a thing of the past, two brothers are revitalising an industry rich with history. Their passion, precision, and pioneering spirit prove this trade is right at home.
London's Savile Row is an iconic destination for tailoring, home to the best bespoke and made-to-measure suits in the world. Kathryn Sargent is the first female tailor on the Row; walk with her down this historic Mayfair street to discover the magic of the bespoke British suit.
Read more about Kathryn Sargent's Love Letter from Britain here.
Iconic British brand Mulberry is embedding principles of transparency, regeneration and circularity across its supply chain to create signature leather bags that have a positive impact and are made to last.
Tucked away in an historic farmstead in the stunning English countryside of the Lake District, is a distillery with a difference. This is a story of a path being forged by The Lakes Distillery's master blender Dhavall Gandhi, who is passionately crafting an opulent whisky with a unique flavour as he aspires to put England on the whisky-making map.
Read more about The Lakes Distillery's Love Letter from Britain here.
Renowned for crafting exquisite fragrances, the power of nature is integral to the philosophy of Jo Malone London. But how can the wonders of nature be adopted to improve mental health and wellbeing? Jo Malone London's belief in cultivating kindness has its roots in British gardens...
Read more about Jo Malone London's Love Letter from Britain here.
They might be a humble clothing item, but socks have the power to make a statement about their wearer and tread a sustainable path. With an emphasis on circularity and the introduction of recycled materials, the London Sock Company mixes style with substance.
Read more about London Sock Company's Love Letter from Britain here.
What it means to be a modern man is a concept that is constantly evolving – and so too is luxury menswear brand, dunhill. From founder Alfred Dunhill's original inspiration in 1893, to new creative director, Mark Weston's vision for the future, this pioneering heritage brand has always had innovation at its core.
With a similar footfall to Buckingham Palace, Bicester Village is the home of retail royalty and also upcoming talent. Discover how Britain's iconic outlet shopping centre is keeping the magic of shopping alive by curating artistic spaces within its villages to champion young designers and artists.
Read more about Bicester Village's Love Letter from Britain here.
Goodness is not just a feeling, but an act - and Molton Brown is continually evolving. Passionate about circularity and reducing single-use plastic, its iconic packaging is being reimagined with longevity in mind. From creating refillable glass bottles to incorporating recycled plastic across its ranges, it's about curating experiences that last.
Read more about Molton Brown's Love Letter from Britain here.
In the small Scottish burgh of Dufftown, the historic Balvenie Distillery has been maturing its craft across generations. There is no book on how to make The Balvenie Single Malt, instead it is passed on by hand and by story from master to apprentice. Passing his whisky secrets down the line of succession, malt master David Stewart is inspiring the next generation by combining historic customs with modern passion and flair.
Read more about The Balvenie's Love Letter from Britain here.
The golden age of the grand hotel is returning. A project in the heart of London’s West End is seeking to embody the creative spirit of the area, collaborating with artists and creators in a hotel that will reflect the vibrancy and bright lights of the city it sits in when it opens in September 2021.
Read more about The Londoner's Love Letter from Britain here.
Luxury is as much about process as the product itself. This century-old luxury car manufacturer is decarbonising its processes with the aim of becoming carbon-neutral. Discover the people pioneering a new image for Bentley, a brand steeped in tradition.
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