Showing posts with label British. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British. Show all posts

Friday, 21 August 2026

London Entrepreneur Charles Reay-Smith Opens Search for UK Business Acquisitions

London-based entrepreneur Charles Reay-Smith has launched a search for further UK business acquisitions, a year after purchasing ecommerce brand AlloyArmor.

Reay-Smith, who founded and runs specialist HMO management company Reay Smith Property, is reviewing opportunities across the ecommerce, services and light industrial sectors.

His focus is on profitable, owner-operated British businesses whose founders are ready to retire, step back from day-to-day management or pursue other interests. 

He is particularly interested in established companies that are already working well but could benefit from fresh investment and operational improvements.

Reay-Smith acquired AlloyArmor in July 2025 for an undisclosed sum. The direct-to-consumer brand produces designer protective cases for Apple products, including iPhones and AirPods.

Its range, available through alloyarmor.store, includes the Invisa Case, the Hercules Case and The Serpent. AlloyArmor works with manufacturers and independent artists to develop its products, ships to customers worldwide and offers a 60-day returns window.

Reflecting on his first year as the owner of the brand, Reay-Smith said the experience had given him a realistic understanding of what business acquisition involves.

“AlloyArmor taught me what the first year of ownership actually looks like, which is mostly unglamorous work on the operation behind the product,” he explained to That's Business.

“That year is the reason I’m confident taking on the next one. I’d rather buy something that already works and fix the parts nobody has had time to fix than start from nothing.”

Alongside AlloyArmor, Reay-Smith continues to operate Reay Smith Property, which specialises in managing houses in multiple occupation across south and west London.

His long-term ambition is to build a portfolio of successful small UK companies. Rather than buying businesses to sell them again quickly, he intends to retain and operate them over the longer term.

This approach could provide a valuable succession option for founders who have spent years building viable businesses but do not have a family member, employee or management team ready to take over.

“There are a lot of good businesses whose owners want out and have no obvious successor,” Reay-Smith added. “Those are the ones I’m interested in. I’m not looking for a turnaround and I’m not looking to strip anything back.”

Business owners considering their next move, together with brokers and other intermediaries representing suitable UK companies, are invited to make contact with Reay-Smith to discuss potential acquisition opportunities.

https://reaysmithproperty.co.uk

https://alloyarmor.store

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

How British Businesses Can Blow Their Own Trumpet This Christmas

A guide to confidently promoting genuine Made in Britain products.

Christmas is the most important sales period of the year for many British businesses, and it’s also the perfect moment to proudly celebrate UK craftsmanship, heritage and manufacturing. 

Yet, many companies still feel oddly shy about promoting their British-made credentials. 

They worry about sounding boastful, old-fashioned or overly nationalistic, and as a result, customers often have no idea that a product was made locally at all.

In reality, Christmas shoppers actively look for British-made gifts. 

They want to support local jobs, reduce shipping miles, and buy something with genuine provenance. 

If your business is creating, assembling or manufacturing goods in the UK, it’s time to say so — loudly, proudly and professionally.

Here’s how to blow your own trumpet with confidence.

Why highlighting British manufacturing matters

1. Customers are actively searching for “Made in Britain”

Search trends show rising interest in UK-made gifts, especially in the run-up to Christmas. People want authenticity, quality, sustainability and traceability — all strengths of British production.

2. It builds trust and credibility

Being open about where and how your products are made instantly boosts customer confidence. Transparent provenance has become a key marker of a trustworthy brand.

3. It differentiates you in a crowded marketplace

The festive season is noisy. Thousands of imported goods compete for attention. A genuine British-made label helps your product stand out in a sea of “designed in the UK” items that are actually manufactured overseas.

How to confidently promote your British-made products

1. Make “Made in Britain” central to your Christmas marketing

Don’t hide it in a footnote. Place your British manufacturing story at the heart of your seasonal messaging:

Christmas gift guides featuring your workshop or factory

A festive “Meet the Maker” video

Social posts showing real production processes

A blog series on your materials, craftsmanship and expertise

Customers love seeing the behind-the-scenes work that brings a product to life.

2. Use recognised marks and verification schemes

Membership of organisations such as Made in Britain gives shoppers instant assurance. Their logo is widely trusted and ideal for:

Packaging

Website banners

Point-of-sale displays

Christmas catalogues

If your business is eligible, joining such schemes adds credibility and peace of mind for buyers.

3. Tell the story of your company heritage

Storytelling sells — particularly at Christmas. Shoppers want gifts with meaning, and your heritage is part of that value.

Talk about:

How long your business has been operating

Why you manufacture in the UK

Skills used, especially traditional trades

The communities you support

A strong narrative makes a British-made gift feel even more special.

4. Show your team at work

People love seeing real craftspeople and engineers at work. Photos and videos of:

Sewing

Pouring

Woodworking

Welding

Assembling

Polishing

…bring authenticity and personality to your marketing. It also subtly reinforces that your product is genuinely made here, not just “designed here”.

5. Add QR codes to packaging linking to your manufacturing story

A simple QR code on your Christmas packaging can take customers directly to:

A video tour of your workshop

A page explaining your UK-made process

A feature on the team who made the product

Sustainability information

It’s a small touch that adds big value.

6. Use festive themes without losing your core identity

You can embrace Christmassy visuals while still showcasing your British roots:

Red, gold and green twists on your branding

Snow-dusted factory photography

Festive gift boxes showing British motifs

“Made for Christmas in Britain” tags

Blend seasonal charm with honest provenance.

7. Partner with local retailers and Christmas markets

Stockists love promoting British-made goods because they’re attractive to customers. Provide retailers with:

Shelf-ready signage

Swing tags

“Made in Britain” cards

Point-of-sale display stands

This strengthens your messaging even when you’re not directly speaking to the customer.

8. Be transparent about what is and isn’t made in the UK

If components come from abroad but final assembly is in Britain, say so clearly. Customers appreciate honesty — it builds trust far more effectively than vague wording.

What not to do

To protect your reputation and comply with trading standards:

Don’t use oversized Union Jack branding unless the product is genuinely made here.

Don’t rely on vague phrasing like “Designed in Britain” without explanation.

Don’t hide origin labels.

Authenticity is the cornerstone of long-term brand trust.

British companies have every right to celebrate their achievements, especially at Christmas, a season built on tradition, craftsmanship and meaningful gifting. If you’re making products in the UK, don’t whisper it. Share it proudly, prominently and professionally.

Your customers want to support you. Give them the confidence and clarity they need, and you’ll find they’re delighted to champion truly British-made gifts this festive season.

Thursday, 16 October 2025

TikTok Shop launches £750,000 'Shop Local' support scheme to boost British small businesses

TikTok Shop has announced the launch of Shop Local, a support scheme to help British small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) harvest demand for homegrown goods by using the platform to reach new audiences.

Fronted by farmer and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, the scheme will help British businesses producing local products find new customers and create new sales opportunities by utilising TikTok Shop's unique 'discovery commerce' model, where shoppers discover and buy products organically through engaging videos, live streams and creators without having to leave the app.

The launch is in response to research commissioned by TikTok Shop which reveals there's a massive demand for British goods. 

83% of people say they'd be more likely to buy British produce if it was more widely available, and three in four (75%) say they prefer locally sourced products over imports.

Yet despite this appetite, many SMBs are struggling to keep pace. Over half (52%) say running a business is harder today than it was a year ago, with nearly a third (29%) citing difficulty attracting new customers as their biggest challenge.

TikTok Shop is already a powerful sales channel in the UK, with over 200,000 SMBs selling through the platform and over 6,000 Shop Lives hosted daily. 

With demand for local products rising, TikTok Shop is investing further to help British businesses unlock growth. 

For SMBs, TikTok Shop provides a way to reach new customers nationwide - without the need for big budgets or large numbers of followers on TikTok. 

And for small businesses with high-quality British products, the For You Feed can be the ultimate shop window to go viral and drive sales.

Doherty, who is co-host of Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, will work alongside TikTok Shop to select five local British businesses who will each receive a dedicated support package worth over £150,000, including:

Hands-on guidance from TikTok Shop experts to get started on the platform

Mentorship for staff members on how to grow sales on TiKTok Shop

Training on how to sell through TikTok Shop LIVE

Subsidised marketing support to help promote their products

Featured promotion across TikTok Shop to reach more customers

Introductions to TikTok creators and help with getting orders to customers

PR and marketing support from TikTok to promote their business off-platform

Jimmy's Farm Shop is now live on TikTok Shop (@jimmysfarmhq)) receiving support from the platform and reaching new audiences ahead of the key Christmas trading period.

For SMBs, reaching wider audiences via online platforms is essential, with 84% saying it’s critical to their survival. 

Nearly seven in ten (67%) would consider using TikTok Shop to support their sales during the upcoming seasonal trading period¹.

Jimmy Doherty, of Jimmy's Farm told That's Business: “The Shop Local scheme is an incredible opportunity for small British businesses to take that next step into online sales with the support of TikTok Shop. 

"For us at Jimmy’s Farm, it’s particularly exciting, our products are usually only available to buy here on the farm, so this marks our first real step into online selling.”

The five chosen SMBs will follow in the footsteps of existing TikTok Shop businesses like The Fat Butcher [meat seller], The Chuckling Cheese Company [snacks, dairy], Dough Girl [bakery and sweet desserts] and The Veg Box Company [veg seller] - and the wide variety of other small companies throughout the UK using TikTok Shop to sell to thousands of customers, with 8 in 10 based outside of London.

Jan Wilk, Head of TikTok Shop UK, said: "We know the current economic climate can be challenging for small British businesses, with many experiencing a mixed financial picture. But unlike other digital shopping platforms, TikTok Shop is based on discovery commerce.

"Smaller businesses don’t need huge followings or big budgets to be seen - if you have a great British product, the For You Feed is your place to shine and find viral success, with your products and businesses able to be discovered by millions. 

"It can be a lifeline to some - and we think the Shop Local scheme, with the support of Jimmy and Jimmy's Farm, will help our British businesses find great success on TikTok Shop.”

British businesses that focus on selling locally produced goods of all types are eligible to apply to the scheme. Whether they are a bakery, fishmonger or farmer - as long as they sell British goods, aren't currently trading on TikTok Shop and have under 250 employees, they are eligible.

To enter, they simply need to create and share a TikTok video demonstrating their offering to their local community, which includes the #ShopLocalComp hashtag and tagging @TikTokShop_UK, between Tuesday, 14 October and Thursday, 13 November. Winners will be selected and contacted by 12 December for participation.

According to NielsenIQ, TikTok Shop was the fastest growing online retailer in 2024, with a 131% annual increase in the number of shoppers on TikTok Shop and a 180% year-on-year rise in revenue at the end of last year.

Eligibility & Participation

By entering the Shop Local competition, businesses confirm they meet the eligibility criteria (UK-based, under 250 employees, not currently trading on TikTok Shop, and selling locally produced goods). 

By submitting an entry, participants also agree to take part in related PR and media opportunities to promote TikTok Shop, their business, and the wider support scheme.