Blog
How some small British firms can break into the USA market
21st August 2014
Typically the success of UK firms in the USA has been mixed, Fresh and Easy the American Tesco, pulled out last year after making losses for 6 years. This ended up costing the company £1.2bn and affected their reputation.Other firms who havent been successful - HMV pulled out in 2004Laura Ashley sold its US chain for a dollar in 1999Marks & Spencer lost money when it sold US fashion chain Brooks Brothers in 2001Sainsbury's sold its Shaw's upmarket grocery chain in 2004http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28756060 This is a great article for looking at enterprise, marketing strategy and growth as well as other topics on the A Level syllabus.
However some firms have been successful -
Sandwich shop chain Pret A Manger has 58 US branchesTopshop now has four stores in the UShttp://www.bbc.com/news/business-28756060
The article discusses UK folding bike maker Brompton, who in 2008 employed their first US employee -60-year-old Ed Rae. A year later he opened their first US based store. With the company's bikes now being sold at 100 bike shops across the US and Canada.
This could make a great starter for students to think about WHY this product has been successful in the USA and why other businesses may have failed.