Upcoming Trade Shows in UK for Arts & Crafts

The arts and crafts industry in the United Kingdom is riding high in terms of revenue as the annual turnover reached approximately £400 million. That’s a notable jump in sales over the past decade. There are multiple factors to this near doubling in figures from ten years ago. On one hand, arts and crafts became popular among millennials, and the pandemic turned people towards hobbies during the long periods of lockdown. Now the market is riding on this wave. A defining characteristic of the arts and crafts industry is its predominantly small-scale operations with 96% of craft businesses comprising one or two-person setups. Additionally, over three-quarters of craftspeople operate as sole traders, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit within the sector. However, research reveals disparities in earnings between male and female craftspeople with men typically commanding higher prices for their work. Despite these challenges, the industry has seen consistent growth with full-time craftsmen experiencing a 5% increase in turnover, and craftswomen witnessing a notable 15% rise over the past year. UK contemporary crafts enjoy widespread acclaim for their quality and innovation on the global stage. The success of British craftspeople abroad not only enhances the country's reputation but also stimulates cultural tourism, albeit challenging to quantify. Advocates for crafts argue that educating the British public about the value of craftwork is crucial to sustaining this momentum and encouraging consumers to invest in handmade goods. Despite its resilience, the crafts industry grapples with common challenges faced by small businesses such as management complexities, recruitment hurdles and limited access to non-creative expertise. Another challenge arises with the cost of effective promotion and marketing, which poses additional barriers for craftspeople. However, the flexibility of self-employment and the intrinsic fulfillment derived from the creative process serve as compensatory factors, driving continued innovation and entrepreneurship within the sector.