Why it pays to buy British
‘As I write this, the International Monetary Fund has announced that, due to the current
Middle East crisis, the UK faces the biggest hit to growth of all the major economies. The
warning is similar to that made by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and
Development, which also predicted at the end of March that the UK would face the biggest
hit to economic growth of the G20 major economies from the Iran war,’ says Simon Williams,
NBF head of marketing and membership.
‘The suggestion is that, as a net importer of energy, the UK remains highly sensitive to rapid
rises in energy prices, especially gas and oil. We’ve witnessed the surge in petrol and diesel prices at the pumps, and this has huge knock-on effects on distribution costs for UK
businesses. UK bed manufacturing and its supply chain is more energy intensive than many would think (timber processing, foam production, metal springs and fabric production, for example). NBF member manufacturers are already reporting soaring foam and spring
costs from some key suppliers.
‘However, from a bed retailer’s perspective, and especially those that import a proportion
of their mattresses and bedframes from Asia, the war in Iran and the Middle East highlights
why supporting UK bed manufacturers has never been more important or more prudent. The conflict has caused major disruption to the shipping routes through the Red Sea and the Gulf. Container traffic through these channels has dropped significantly, forcing ships to reroute
around Africa, adding weeks to lead times and incurring increased fuel, insurance and freight costs. Remember the impact that Covid had on the availability and costs of containers?
‘On the whole, UK bed manufacturers do not rely on these shipping routes. The vast
majority of their components are sourced locally, nationally or from Europe. With protection
from the kind of geopolitical turmoil we are currently experiencing, it allows them to offer
quicker, more consistent delivery lead times, not to mention greater control over product quality.
‘The NBF has found UK-made products are more likely to be compliant as evidenced by our
due diligence purchasing of mattresses over several years. Compared to many mattresses imported from Asia, UK manufactured products, especially those made by NBF-approved members who undergo strict audits, are more likely to comply with UK flammability and product safety regulations. There’s also more chance that a UK made mattress will adhere to trade description law, ie the specification is as advertised. If it states it contains 1,500 pocket springs,
a 5cm layer of memory foam and five comfort zones, then that’s what you’ll find if you were to
cut the mattress open. Can you confidently say the same for mattresses sourced via
wholesalers, distributors and importers?
‘Of course, consumer safety is of paramount importance but there are other factors to be considered. Buying and selling British-made mattresses supports UK manufacturers,
preserves jobs, and contributes to the national economy. Local sourcing keeps money
circulating within the UK rather than being spent overseas. Then there’s the environmental
impact of importing from the other side of the world. Selling domestically made mattresses
and beds appeals to the ever-increasing number of eco-conscious consumers who value
reduced transport emissions and sustainable practices.
‘There are also marketing and branding advantages to be had. Retailers can leverage the
“locally made” or “British craftsmanship” angle in marketing campaigns, appealing to
consumers who want to support local businesses. “Made in Britain” or “Made in the UK” can
still command a premium price due to perceived higher quality and ethical sourcing. Working
in close collaboration with UK bed manufacturers also allows retailers to request bespoke designs or own label ranges, further improving margins and offering a degree of exclusivity
to counteract price comparison shopping. UK bed manufacturers are more likely to offer
efficient after-sale support, with clear policies on guarantees and warranties, repairs and replacements, providing retailers and consumers with peace of mind that, should anything
go wrong, they won’t be left high and dry.’
