To boost growth in sales to Australia UK businesses need to understand what Australian consumers demand from them. An independent online poll of 1,000 Australian consumers was completed during the week commencing 17 October 2016 by Davies Hickman Partners, a global data and customer insight agency based in the UK*.

The following results from the poll are representative of the Australian population:

  • Overall, 4 in 5 Australians rate UK businesses’ chance of significantly increasing exports to Australia as very good (29%) or good (55%).
  • Australian consumers aged 18-34 are more likely to think UK businesses will succeed in increasing exports of products and services to Australia, with 35% saying their chances are very good, compared to 21% of those aged over 55.
  • 7% of Australians say UK businesses chances of significantly increasing exports to Australia are poor.

As the UK debates a Brexit strategy, businesses are busy weighing up new global opportunities for exporting products and services. Australia’s Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnball, has expressed strong interest in a post-Brexit free trade agreement. Much trade between the UK and Australia is in component parts which are part of complex supplier chains.

UK TV, beer and snacks come out on top for Aussie consumers

Australian consumers say they might be interested in the following end products if they were more readily available in Australia:

Definitely of interest to me
I might consider this
Total – Definitely of interest plus I might consider this
UK TV programmes available on-demand

31.4%

43.1%

74.5%

UK speciality beers and ciders

25.1%

37.6%

62.7%

UK beauty and personal health products

24.8%

37.7%

62.5%

UK processed foods (eg cheese, confectionery)

23.8%

42.5%

66.3%

UK premium fashion brands

23.5%

38.6%

62.1%

UK Whisky and liquor

23.5%

38.8%

62.3%

UK medical and pharmaceutical products

20.1%

48.6%

68.7%

UK antiques & vintage goods

19.7%

36.1%

55.8%

UK furniture and homeware

19.5%

45.3%

64.8%

UK premium cars

18.1%

33.9%

52.0%

UK sports equipment

16.8%

36.4%

53.2%

UK gold and jewellery

16.5%

37.7%

54.2%

UK meat and poultry

13.6%

25.7%

39.3%

UK fruit and vegetables

13.1%

28.4%

41.5%

UK bicycles

13.0%

30.1%

43.1%

UK airline and shops favoured to expand operations in Australia

In terms of specific businesses Australian consumers might be interested in if they extended their operations Down Under, airlines and shops were rated highest.

Definitely of interest to me
I might consider this
Total – Definitely of interest plus I might consider this
UK airlines with more flights within Australia

32.1%

43.2%

75.3%

UK department stores with new outlets in Australia

31.7%

43.9%

75.6%

UK clothing shops with new stores in Australia

31.5%

45.0%

76.5%

UK supermarkets with new stores in Australia

31.2%

43.7%

74.9%

UK online retailers selling in Australia

30.5%

41.3%

71.8%

UK premium department stores with new outlets in Australia

28.7%

41.0%

69.7%

UK shoe shops with new stores in Australia

27.2%

46.7%

73.9%

UK banking and insurance providers with new services in Australia

15.2%

35.2%

50.4%

Marcus Hickman, Director of Data and Insights for Davies Hickman Partners commented on the results of the survey, “Whatever the outcome of the Brexit discussions, it is clear that UK businesses should consider the opportunities in the Australian market over the next 5 years. It is a growing market of 24m compared to 508m in the EU, but it does share many social and cultural links which are a good basis for successful business.”

* The methodology involved using an independent panel of 988 Australian consumers to complete the online survey in the week commencing 17 October 2016. The results were re-based to be representative of the whole Australian population aged over 18 who are online.