The US remains the UK’s largest export market for apparel, footwear and accessories and UKFT’s number 1 priority market for an ambitious trade agreement. Whilst we expect an agreement will take some time, possibly years, we are working hard to get one but in the meantime the US (even without a deal) represents great opportunity for UK brands. Throughout the Covid-19, whilst many US retailers were badly affected by the lockdown, some states remained completely open and we are seeing demand in some states already back at pre-Covid levels. Most US adults have now been completely vaccinated against Covid-19 and some are even said to be looking to travel outside the US again as early as this summer. At the same time, the US not the easiest market and it is certainly not the cheapest. We view it as not one market but several and you really need to invest carefully over the long-term to gain a foothold there.

Please join UKFT on Zoom on 30th June at 4pm BST when members will be able to discuss the market, its challenges and the opportunities.

We expect to be joined by:

• Ashley Bell, British Consulate General New York
• Page Allen, British Consulate New York
• Angela Ferguson, British Consulate General Los Angeles
• David Keyte, Universal Works
• Bill Leach, John Smedley
• Steve Sidkin, Fox Williams
• James Carter, Clean Showroom
• Zamari Graham-Smith from Hyphen, who runs a digital /consulting agency specialising in brand partnerships globally and is a ex-pat living in NYC
• Jeremy Reanna, who runs a retail consulting agency and has worked for Macy’s with more than 20 years of experience in the industry

UKFT’s roundtable format enables members to discuss markets and learn about new opportunities and obstacles to be avoided.

The event will be chaired by UKFT’s international business director, Paul Alger MBE.

UKFT Members receive free access, UKFT Rise subscribers receive 75% off. Please contact info@ukft.org for your exclusive code.