A government-funded scheme encourages hundreds of British companies each year to use marketing research to explore overseas markets.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the British Government’s Department for promoting overseas trade - exporters are encouraged to take a strategic approach to exporting through a number of subsidised activities such as training courses, events, organised visits and consultancy programmes to great effect.

Recognising the benefits marketing research brings to a growing business, UKTI, through their long-running Export Marketing Research Scheme (EMRS), provide objective and independent advice to companies on how to use marketing research to grow their exports. This advice is further backed up by a financial incentive that match-funds the costs incurred by eligible exporters in completing the research project.

Companies report on average* a £100k uplift in their bottom line arising from the increased business resulting from first researching their markets.

A network of nine regionally based Research Advisers provide advice to over 1000 companies each year on the role marketing research can play in the exporting process. 

This expert advice covers all aspects of research, beginning with guidance on how to prioritise their potential export markets through to developing objectives, sourcing information about their overseas markets and drawing up a schedule and an agenda for overseas meetings. Advice on identification, selection, evaluation and working with market research agencies in export markets is also included.

Research undertaken by OMB Research – The Performance and Impact Monitoring Survey (PIMS) is UKTI’s quarterly survey of their customers.

The Research Advisers have significant experience of conducting international market research and are all members of the Market Research Society.

International export market case studies

NEW: Making a stylish entry to the US - Number 35, London based fashion label aimed at professional women

Sector: Retail

Market: USA

America (North)

Export Marketing Research Scheme helps Le Mark export to USALe Mark (East)

Sector: Leisure and Tourism

Market: USA

Lights, camera, focus-Bankside Films (London)

Sector: Media

Market: USA

IMS Research mobilises UKTI expertise in the US-IMS Research (East Midlands)

Sector: Communications

Market: USA

Healthy exports to the US, naturally-Hilton Herbs (South East)

Sector: Healthcare and Medical

Market: USA

DC Electronics doubles turnover and speeds forward in US-DC Electronics (East)

Sector: Mechanical and Electrical Process Engineering

Market: USA

America (South)

Learning about learning in BrazilINTO UEA LLP (East)

Sector: Education and Training

Market: Brazil

Asia

The sun rises in Japan for BCS-Autobox-Autobox Machinery (East)

Sector: Mechanical and Electrical Process Engineering

Market: Japan

Developing China’s Potential-On Track International (South West)

Sector: Education and Training

Market: China

Developing Delhi and motivating Mumbai-First Ascent (East)

Sector: Education and Training

Market: India

Australasia

geo boosts profits and helps Australia go green-Green Energy Options (East)

Environment

Market: Australia and NZ

Europe

Lining up the European on-line Market-Mint Twist (London)

Software and Computer Services B2B

Market: Switzerland

A better thing for sliced bread in RussiaIbonhart (East)

Food and Beverage

Market: Russia

Middle East

UKTI service gives good ROI for abdi in Kuwait-ABDI(East)

Education and Training

Market: Kuwait

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