Industry News & Advocacy

Home & Gift Association Meets Department for Business and Trade to Champion Growth Across the Sector

HGA meets with Lord Leong and senior Department for Business and Trade officials to put the opportunities and challenges facing the UK home and gift industry firmly on the agenda.

Making sure our industry's voice is heard

At the Home & Gift Association, advocacy sits at the heart of everything we do. Our role is not simply to support businesses through networking, events and business services; it is also to ensure that the voices of our members are heard by the people shaping the policies that affect them every day.

This week, we met with Lord Leong, the Government's representative for small businesses, alongside senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the UK's home and gift industry.

The meeting was an important step in strengthening the relationship between government and a sector that supports hundreds of businesses across manufacturing, design, wholesale, retail and services.

Representing a Diverse and Dynamic Industry

During the meeting, we shared an overview of the Home & Gift Association and the businesses we represent. Our membership spans approximately 400 companies, ranging from sole traders and independent designers through to established manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and service providers. Many are small and microbusinesses who play a vital role in local economies across the UK.

We discussed the current state of the sector, highlighting that many businesses continue to experience significant pressures. Rising operational costs, changing consumer spending habits, increasing regulatory requirements and ongoing challenges around international trade are all affecting growth and profitability.

While innovation remains strong, many companies are working harder than ever simply to maintain performance.

Our members' voice

Putting Members' Challenges on the Agenda

A key objective of the meeting was to ensure that the realities facing our members are reflected in future policy discussions.

We highlighted several areas where businesses need greater support, including:

The Department for Business and Trade welcomed the opportunity to receive further evidence from the sector and encouraged the Association to continue providing data and case studies that demonstrate the impact of these challenges on businesses.

Looking beyond the UK

Supporting International Growth

International trade remains a priority for many of our members, and we explored a number of opportunities to help businesses expand overseas.

DBT representatives outlined existing partnerships with major international online marketplaces, particularly in regions such as Latin America and the Middle East, which could help UK businesses connect with new customers and markets. We welcomed the opportunity to explore these initiatives further and identify practical routes to market for our members.

The discussion also reinforced the importance of exports to the future growth of our sector and highlighted the need to create more opportunities for international buyers to engage with UK brands.

The Importance of Trade Shows

One of the most significant topics discussed was the role that trade shows play in supporting business growth.

Trade fairs remain one of the most effective ways for suppliers, manufacturers and brands to generate new business, meet buyers and expand into new markets. However, rising costs associated with exhibiting, including stand space, accommodation, logistics and event services, are making participation increasingly challenging for smaller businesses.

To address this, we shared plans for the creation of a new Trade Fair Council, bringing together key industry stakeholders to examine how the sector can protect and grow these important routes to market. We also discussed opportunities to attract more international buyers to UK exhibitions and strengthen government engagement with domestic trade events.

Navigating Regulatory Challenges

Regulatory compliance continues to be a growing concern for many businesses within the home and gift sector.

We discussed challenges relating to packaging regulations and wider product compliance requirements, sharing examples of how some rules can create unintended barriers for businesses. We also highlighted concerns regarding evolving EU regulations and sustainability requirements, and the impact these may have on companies trading across UK and European markets.

The Department for Business and Trade requested further information and evidence in these areas, providing an opportunity for our members to help shape future conversations with policymakers.

Real insight from real businesses

Industry Champions: Giving Members a Voice

We also shared progress on our Industry Champions initiative, which brings together businesses from across different product categories and sectors to provide real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

By gathering evidence, case studies and feedback directly from members, Industry Champions ensures that discussions with government are informed by practical business experience rather than assumptions. This initiative will continue to play a key role in our advocacy work as we strengthen relationships with policymakers and stakeholders.

A Partnership for Growth

Perhaps the most positive outcome from the meeting was the shared commitment to ongoing engagement.

The Home & Gift Association is not seeking government intervention in every challenge facing the industry. What we are seeking is partnership, constructive dialogue and a willingness to listen to the experiences of the businesses that make up our sector.

We were encouraged by the openness shown by Lord Leong and the DBT team, and we welcome their commitment to continued engagement, future sector discussions and the sharing of opportunities that can support business growth.

How You Can Get Involved

The strength of our advocacy is only as powerful as the evidence behind it.

If you are a retailer, supplier, manufacturer, designer, service provider or industry partner, we want to hear from you. Whether you are facing regulatory challenges, barriers to trade, export difficulties, skills shortages or rising operational costs, your experiences help us build the case for change.

Through our Industry Champions programme, member surveys and ongoing consultations, we will continue to gather industry insight and ensure that the home and gift sector has a strong, unified voice.

Championing Our Industry

Together, we can ensure that our industry is not only heard but recognised as a vital contributor to the UK's economic growth.

Your Industry. Your Community. Your Growth.

Home & Gift Association

Supporting, connecting and championing businesses across the home and gift industry.

Your Industry.   Your Community.   Your Growth Partner.