About
British
Luxury
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.
What is Luxury?
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 and drink to hospitality.
Business Practices
Across the sector, there are several unifying business practices that unite all luxury brands.
Creativity, Craft & Quality
A commitment to creativity, craft and quality – often with a focus on domestic manufacturing
Brand Protection
Safeguarding of brand and designs through intellectual property
Sustainable Practices
A focus on sustainable business practices that prioritise long-term success
Selective Distribution
Luxury brands carefully choose how and where their products are sold
International Consumers
An international customer base and export-focused business
Investment in Digital & Tech
Investment in digital and technology to improve customer experience
A Growing Sector
The UK luxury sector's total exports are £56bn, up 45% in 5 years
The UK luxury sector is growing at a rate of 11% annually
The UK luxury sector contributes £25.5bn to the Exchequer (based on direct and indirect employment)
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.
Diamonds in the sky
Sun, wind, rain, and atmospheric carbon captured from the sky are the ingredients for Skydiamond’s diamonds, created in the heart of Gloucestershire in England. The diamonds are the same composition as those mined from the ground and have the added benefit of extracting harmful gases from the air.
Putting vegetables at the Core of cuisine
Raised on a Northern Irish farm, chef Clare Smyth learned the value of growing quality produce from early on. Now, in her three Michelin star restaurant Core, she elevates produce from across the UK and celebrates the farmers that grow it.
The Story of the Suit
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.
Crafting Every Drop
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.
Healing Through Horticulture
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...
Re-Imagining Modern Masculinity
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.
The Magic of Shopping
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.
Closing the Luxury Loop
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.
Old Traditions, New Directions
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.
London’s New Landmark
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.
Daily Luxury Digest
Sent every working day, the Daily Luxury Digest is your essential news source for the latest developments in the luxury sector both in the UK and around the world.