This is a list of our most recent market research reports, prepared by our Commercial Specialists and available free of charge to U.S. companies. To acquire a copy of the report, please contact the Specialist listed.

For a listing of the market research to be completed by U.S. Commercial Service London in 2009, please download the following document - Market Research Plan for 2009

For a complete listing of all U.S. Commercial Service market research reports please visit our market research page via the ExportGov website at http://www.export.gov/mrktresearch/index.asp

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE

Commercial Service Contact: John.Coronado@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Airport Expansion 2008
  The March 2008 opening of Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow airport was one of the largest airport investment programs in recent years. The terminal was designed to meet rapidly rising demand for air travel, and to address a decline in the UK’s major airports that has seen Heathrow, in particular, fa...
• An Overview of the Defense Market
  The United Kingdom is home to the world’s second largest defense sector, accounting for 5% of the worldwide defense market. The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) total 2006-2007 budget totaled $81.3 billion. The MoD offers a wide range of opportunities to U.S. high technology companies and is both a sop...
• An Overview of the Aerospace Market
  The UK aerospace industry, the second largest in the world, enjoyed a turnover of $39.6 billion in 2006. This represented approximately 13% of the worldwide aerospace market. Increasing demand for both passenger and airfreight services, encouraged by the recent Open Skies agreement, is expected to...
• An Overview of the Space Industry
  The space industry in the UK is often described in terms of upstream and downstream activities. The upstream segment of the market includes satellite manufacture, sub-assemblies, components, software and instrumentation. These activities generated $1.5 billion in revenue in 2005. The downstream s...

APPAREL

Commercial Service Contact: Marcella.Marcheso@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• The Children’s Wear Market
  The UK children’s wear market had an estimated market value of $14 billion in 2006. In 2006, discount retailers accounted for 36% of all children’s wear sales, compared to 24% of the total clothing market. Discount retailers have driven down the price points for children’s wear. Major grocery...

AUTOMOTIVE AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Garage Repair and Maintenance
  The UK market for car servicing, mechanical repairs and bodywork repairs was worth an estimated $24.62 billion in 2008, reflecting an increase of 2.1% on 2007 and an increase of 12.5% since 2004. Expenditure on these services continues to benefit from a steady increase in the number of cars on UK ro...
• Crossrail – London’s Proposed New Rail Network
  Crossrail, a $32.5 billion project to build a railway link through the center of London, has received authorization by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The 50/50 joint venture between Transport for London (TfL) and the UK Department of Transport has been tasked to develop a new east-west train service ...

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

Commercial Service Contact: Cheryl.Withers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• UK Sustainable Construction
  The United Kingdom’s (UK) construction market was valued at $203 billion in 2008 (an increase of 1% on the previous year). Sustainable construction – or green build – is estimated to account for about 12% of the total market with a value of just over $24 billion. The total market includes both pub...
• Overview of the UK Domestic Heating Market
  The UK domestic heating market was valued at $3.6 billion in 2007. Despite competition and oversupply in particular segments, the domestic heating market has benefited from government legislation and initiatives; ...
• The UK Green Building Market & Ecobuild 2009
  In the UK, interest in green building and environmental awareness has reached something of a fever pitch in recent years. Concerns regarding long-term sustainability, climate change, and the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere have entered the public, business, and governmental...
• The UK Market for Windows and Doors
  This report examines the UK market for windows and doors, which in 2006 totaled an estimated $10.4 billion. The size of the sector is largely due to the country’s significant construction industry, which is divided between new build projects and maintenance/refurbishment work, for a market total of...

CONSUMER GOODS AND HOME FURNISHINGS

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• The Toy and Game Market
  The UK market for toys and games totaled $4.5 billion in 2006.  While the market has increased annually since 2002, growth has been limited and is only forecast to reach $5 billion by 2012.  Toys and Games comprise nine product segments: infant/preschool toys and games; activity toys; outdoor and sports toys and games; games/puzzles; dolls; action toys; vehicles; plush toys; and other products.
• Discount Retailing
  The UK market for discount retailing has grown by 6.5% per year since 2002, reaching a market total of $31.4 billion by 2006. The UK discount retail market is divided into two broad segments: discount grocery retailers and discount non-grocery retailers. The discount grocery segment displ...

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Commercial Service Contact: Chrystal.Denys@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov  

• United Kingdom: The Further and Higher Education Market
  In the United Kingdom, 4.5 million students pursue further education. The UK education system has a reputation for high quality teaching and research, but continues to face challenges from under-funding and falling standards. Additionally, The number of further education institutions decreased fro...  

ENERGY 

Commercial Service Contact: Richard.Stanbridge@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• United Kingdom Energy Market Profile
  An overview of the UK energy market by sector - including oil and gas, power generation and renewables, including information on major project opportunities in the UK....
• Update on UK Nuclear Decommissioning Projects
  The report provides an update on the decommissioning of UK nuclear power stations including the status of current and future contract opportunities...
• The Renewable Energy Market
  The UK’s renewable energy market is set to grow by around 22% per year from $1.7 billion in 2007 to over $30 billion by 2020. Two key factors are driving this growth: ·The urgent need to find new sources of energy to replace rapidly diminishing UK oil and gas reserves, and ·Strong UK and EU e...

ENVIRONMENT

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Low Carbon Emissions Technologies
  The UK government has calculated that 20 gigawatts of new power generation will be needed by 2020 to meet its energy needs. At the same time, the EU has set a binding target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, also by 2020. This combination of substantially higher demand for energy and the nee...

FOOD & DRINKS

Commercial Service Contact: Marcella.Marcheso@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Packaging in the UK Food and Drink Industry
  The UK market for food and drink packaging was worth nearly $12 billion in 2006 and has been growing steadily at 2.3% per year since 2002. There is a strong demand for niche products as the industry responds to legislative requirements, consumer demand, increasing material and energy costs, and a g...

HEALTHCARE

Commercial Service Contact: Cheryl.Withers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• The Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Equipment Market
  The UK market for orthopedic and rehabilitation equipment was worth $3 billion in 2006. This equipment assists the 10 million people – 17% of the total UK population of 61 million – who have been classified as having a permanent or temporary, physical or mental disability. Demand has grown steadil...
• The Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements market
  The combination of an aging population, increasing income levels, and a trend towards healthy living has created a health-conscious consumer base in the United Kingdom, as well as a growing market for health-related products such as vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS). In 2006, the UK VMS mar...

INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Commercial Service Contact: Andrew.Williams@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• An Overview of the UK Personal Storage Market
  The personal storage market in the UK is growing rapidly. Consumers are buying flash memory, USB memory devices and external hard disk drives at an increasing rate. If you are a manufacturer or distributor of Flash based memory products, USB storage devices or removable hard disk drives you should b...

LONDON OLYMPICS 2012

Commercial Service Contact: John.Coronado@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• United Kingdom: London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics; Update 4
  This is the fourth update in the series on preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It contains news of the appointment of a new Olympic Development Authority (ODA) Chairman, a recent ODA industry day, and summaries of current tender contract notices....
• United Kingdom: London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics; Update 3
  This update includes information from the recent Structures, Bridges and Highways Industry Day that focused on the seven structures, bridges and highways contract packages. Four of those packages are currently up for tender in May 2007....
• London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics: Update 2
  This month’s update includes additional news about Olympic Development Authority (ODA) e-alerts on future tenders including the imminent contract to design and construct the Aquatics Centre. The ODA’s development phase is on track and expected to continue into 2012. A brief summary of current oppor...
• United Kingdom: London 2012 Olympics: Update 1This report is the first of a series of regular updates on business opportunities and preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games....
• London 2012 Olympics Bring New Opportunities
  Following an extremely competitive race, London won the competition to host the 2012 Olympics. This will be the third Olympic Games held in London, which previously hosted the games in 1908 and 1948. As the city prepares for the most important international sporting event in the world, excellent o...  

MACHINE TOOLS

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• An Overview of the Machine Tools Market
  The UK machine tools market is the 16th largest in the world and is valued at $950 million. Following 29% growth in 2006, industry forecasts project an increase of 11.7% in 2007. The size and growth of the market reflects the renewed demand for machine tools by the UK’s manufacturing sector. The c...

MARINE INDUSTRY

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Overview of the UK Leisure Marine Industry
  The UK marine leisure business is the second largest in Europe, with an estimated value of $5.5billion and consistent growth over the last decade. The market consists of both powered and sailing boats ranging from small dinghies to super yachts. It is estimated that 3.5 million people regularly pa...

MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

Commercial Service Contact: Stewart.Gough@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Overview of the UK Bookselling Industry
  The book market in the UK is the second largest in Europe, trailing only Germany. It represents 22.3% of the UK publishing sector and is comprised of three major categories (Consumer Books, Academic & Professional and School Books). In 2006 the value of the UK market was valued at nearly $8.2 bill...

REAL ESTATE

Commercial Service Contact: Cheryl.Withers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Overview of Residential Real Estate Purchases at Home and Abroad
  Approximately 71% of the UK population owns a home, making Britain one of the top countries for private home ownership in Europe. The home ownership culture is so strong that it has extended abroad; approximately two million British residents have invested in property outside the United Kingdom. ...

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Commercial Service Contact: Andrew.Williams@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• The Market for Personal Protective Equipment
  The UK market for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was worth $1.6 billion in 2006. Growth has been stimulated because of new and more stringent health and safety regulations, as well as a growing willingness of employees to sue after accidents. However, this increased demand has been offset by ...
• The UK Airport Security Market
  The UK airport security market is a growing market that is highly receptive to new products and technologies for its increasingly rigorous security needs. The dramatic increase in air passenger traffic forecast for the next 14 years will lead to a substantial increase in airport capacity through up...
• The UK Access Control Systems Market
  The UK market for access control systems is well established but still receptive to new technologies. This report explains the current trends in the market. Information on major EU and UK legislation and standards is also provided....

SCOTLAND

Commercial Service Contact: Richard.Stanbridge@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• A Brief Report on the Economy of Scotland
  Historically associated as a world leader in manufacturing industries and shipbuilding, Scotland is now in the process of transitioning to an economy more focused on the service sector. GDP has increased by 9.2 percent in the last 5 years, largely due to vibrant growth in services....

SPORTING GOODS

Commercial Service Contact: Sara.Jones@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Home Gym & Fitness Equipment
  The market for personal and/or home gym and fitness equipment was estimated at $223 million in 2008, a 9.3% increase from 2005. With the exception of golfing equipment, fitness products for the home comprise the largest category in the home and personal sports equipment market and is expected to in...

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Commercial Service Contact: Stewart.Gough@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

• Overview of the Frequent Traveler Market
  In 2007, frequent UK travelers to the United States spent an estimated $12.3 billion on their trips, including airfares . The average stay was 10-14 nights each trip. These frequent travelers form the backbone of annual statistics of UK visitors to the U.S. As the euro continues to strengthen ag...
• Travel to the Western United States
  UK travelers to the United States are increasingly making the western states a prime tourist destination, contributing over $4.3 billion to the region’s economies. In 2005, of the 4.3 million UK visitors who traveled to the United States, 1.4 million (32.5%) visited the western states. The cur...
• Growth in the Online Travel Sector
  With 2007 sales estimated at $22 billion, the UK online travel sector is the largest in Western Europe, accounting for an estimated 45% market share. Since its introduction, the Internet has shifted from being simply a research tool into a sophisticated booking engine. In the process, it has compl...