Walpole US Trade Delegation 2018

As the world’s largest market for luxury worldwide – valued at $85 billion – the United States is a key export market for Britain’s finest luxury brands (75% of which identify it as a priority growth market over the next five years). Meanwhile, the country’s most populated city, New York, accounts for almost a third of the total US luxury market size, with a value of $25.5 billion.

Walpole and our partners the GREAT Britain Campaign and Bond Street and Mayfair for New West End Company are delighted to take 16 exceptional British luxury brands – Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, Belmond, Chapel Down, Cowdray, Ettinger, Farrow & Ball, Glenmorangie, Historic Royal Palaces, Johnstons of Elgin, Kathryn Sargent, Molton Brown, Rapport London, Richard Brendon, Royal Salute, The Royal Mint and The Last Drop Distillers – to New York for our second-annual Trade Delegation and Media Showcase from Tuesday 23rd to Thurday 25th October.

“As the UK looks beyond its borders into its future global trading relationships, it’s particularly important that British luxury, a sector with an export value of over £25 billion, shows how successful high-end British brands are at doing business overseas. Not only is the US the single biggest market for British luxury, it also offers a huge growth opportunity for the sector, and the appetite of the US customer for our brands and services grows every year. I’m hugely excited about returning to New York to show the creativity and innovation that typifies luxury in the UK, and to fly the flag for Britain for US visitors thinking of making a trip here.” Helen Brocklebank, CEO, Walpole

These brands, and their guests, will benefit from a packed programme of events during the three-day mission, including an insight briefing on the US media and luxury landscape with expert speakers; Bergdorf Goodman store tour and meetings; and celebratory dinner at the legendary Belmond 21 Club; culminating in a Media Showcase at The Glass Houses in New York’s Chelsea. We will also honour Glenda Bailey OBE –  the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar – with a very special Walpole Award for Promoting British Luxury Overseas designed by Wedgwood. To read the itinerary in full, please click here: US trade and media delegation programme and itinerary.

The US Ambassador to the UK, Ambassador Robert Wood Johnson will officially launch Walpole's US Trade Delegation, and mark the special relationship between British luxury and the US customer, at a cocktail party for the UK's luxury leaders at his residence Winfield House on 10th October. Follow our journey on Instagram, thewalpole.co.uk, and in our Daily Luxury Digest.

"The GREAT Britain campaign celebrates the best of the UK overseas so we are delighted to partner with Walpole to present this outstanding showcase of British luxury to US audiences. We look forward to promoting British craftsmanship, quality and heritage in beautiful settings and with the valuable expertise of the industry’s finest talent." Sarah Anderson, Head of Brand and Partnerships, GREAT Britain Campaign

"New West End Company, which represents over 600 business in London's West End and Mayfair, is delighted to partner with Walpole to showcase this world leading shopping district, anchored by the famous Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. We welcome the opportunity to share the unique mix of fashion, fine jewellery, art, craftsmanship and culture that have helped to established Mayfair as one of the world’s most popular and exciting destination." Jace Tyrell, CEO, New West End Company

More on New York

Partners We are hugely grateful to the GREAT Britain Campaign and Bond Street and Mayfair for the New West End Company for their invaluable support of the Walpole US Trade Delegation.

Supporting Partners

We also wish to thank the following Supporting Partners, all of whom have given their time and expertise to support this important mission to New York.

BOAT International Brand Finance BritishAmerican Business FoundPop J.P Morgan MM Luxe Consulting Spring Studios Strategic Vision

Key statistics Whether driven by British luxury goods on sale in the United States or American tourists visiting the UK, the opportunity for growth in Anglo-American luxury trade has never been more visible or valuable.

75% of the UK luxury sector identified the US as a priority growth market for the next five years despite slower growth.

The American market is still the largest market for luxury worldwide valued at $85 billion. A further $18.5 billion of growth in the US luxury market is forecast by 2021, representing 52% overall market expansion in just 10 years if reached. New York alone accounts for $25.5 billion or almost one third of the total US luxury market size.

US visitors to the UK spent a total of £3.4 billion in 2016 (up 14% on 2014). They spent an average of £971 per visit, which is above the all-market average of £599. The US is the UK’s top inbound tourism market by value; almost 3.5 million Americans visited the UK in 2016, an increase of 16% compared to 2014

US visitor spending in the first half of 2017 UK hit a record £1.8 billion (up 28% on the same period last year) with visitor numbers also showing strong growth up 31% to 1.9 million. The leisure market leads the reasons to visit – holidays account for 45% of all visits to the UK from the USA, 25% to see friends and/or relatives and 20% for business purposes.