British luxury leather bag brand sees spike in orders
According to the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT), a British made-to-order leather bags brand has recorded a 400% increase in sales from the same time last year.
The Japanese market is reported to comprise 70% of the brand's revenue.
Rutherfords’ leather bags are hand stitched on the grounds of the Cholmondeley Castle, in the northwest region of England. The company sought advice from DIT on exporting safely during the coronavirus pandemic and is now fulfilling orders in a socially-distanced work environment. According to DIT, the business has entered new markets in the US and Europe and now exports to eight countries.
Alex Hughes, founder of Rutherfords, said a trade deal with Japan would assist the company in reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to expanding its presence abroad.
