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.