~ Premium kidswear UK brand Angel & Rocket announces plan to open 100 stores in India over five years.
Mumbai, October 29, 2026: India’s expanding appetite for international brands, premium experiences and differentiated consumer products is opening a new chapter for British businesses. At the recently held UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Tradae Agreement (CETA) Marketplace event in Mumbai, British food, beauty, lifestyle, and consumer brands took centre stage, showing how the bilateral trade agreement is creating new commercial opportunities. The consumer and lifestyle showcase brought together familiar heritage names and specialised British businesses highlighting the diversity of products seeking stronger access to Indian consumers. Scotch whisky tariffs have been reduced from 150% to 75% and will be further reduced to 40% in a phased manner. Same for Scottish salmon tariffs of 33% is now down to zero since FTA entry into force on 15 July 2026.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland said: “It’s great news that we have Scottish businesses joining this trade mission to India. Our free trade agreement was hard won and will now open up a big market for high-quality products like salmon and whisky. I am determined to make sure Scotland’s producers can turn the trade deal into real business wins by helping them access and navigate this valuable market.
“Scotland’s success in markets like India is supported by the strength, reach and influence that come from being part of the UK. Boosting export opportunities and encouraging inward investment in Scotland means real benefits back home in economic growth and jobs.
Among the participating brands, Walkers Shortbread, the iconic Scottish biscuit manufacturer, and premium mixer brand Fever-Tree highlighted opportunities in India’s evolving beverage and hospitality market, while The Somerset Toiletry Company showcased the potential of British personal care, bath and gifting products. Denman International, recognised globally for professional hairbrushes and styling tools, reflected the increasing sophistication of India’s beauty, grooming and salon industry. Together, these companies illustrated how British exporters are looking beyond conventional luxury markets to reach Indian consumers through specialised retail, distribution and hospitality partnerships.
India’s growing premium consumer segment offers opportunities for UK businesses across packaged foods, beauty, personal care, beverages, fashion, accessories and lifestyle products. The UK’s wider trade delegation also included businesses and industry representatives such as Kendamil, Angel & Rocket, Salmon Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, and the British Meat Processors Association. The free trade agreement provides improved market access across several product categories. Healthcare International Research is expanding the reach of its HEMPE natural health products through Indian retail and pharmacy channels, with potential business exceeding approximately INR 500 crores over five years. Beyond physical consumer products, JBrown International expects to generate INR 88.7 crores in business from Indian clients seeking UK property advisory and portfolio management services, illustrating growing demand for cross-border lifestyle and investment services.
For Indian businesses, the opportunity lies in introducing differentiated products, developing distribution partnerships and participating in the growing cross-border consumer economy. As India and the UK move from trade negotiations to implementation, UK consumer brands are seeking to convert preferential market access into visibility, partnerships and sustained growth.
Today marks 100 days since the UK-India FTA or CETA
In the week of 12 October, the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds travelled to India alongside a group of seven Mayors and one combined authority leader from the North of England as well as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Dame Angela Eagle and Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander and over 100 businesses from across a range of sectors. Over £1 billion in new deals were announced during the visit boosting job creation and growth across both economies. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement which is called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was central to this visit as ministers, businesses, university leaders and policymakers from both India and the UK announced several new partnerships in a bid to strengthen bilateral relationship.
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