£3 billion of UK goods, including clothing, furniture and household appliances are at risk of being delayed should the current crisis in the Red Sea continue, according to our analysis.

This analysis is based on an analysis examining goods imported into Felixstowe during June 2023 to September 2023. This is a key period for retailers, when many companies stock up on popular items to sell over the Christmas and Bank Holiday season. 

This analysis comes as retailers, particularly in Europe, are stocking up on key items earlier this year, to avoid shortages during the autumn and winter months. 

We have identified the following commodities that would be at risk, if the Red Sea disruption continues or escalates over the coming months: 

Taking a deeper look at the companies exposed to this disruption revealed supermarkets, retailers and fashion and cosmetic brands all being impacted by significant delays. 

Supermarkets topped the list, with a high exposure of £1 billion, with brands including Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons, Iceland, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl and Iceland, all impacted. 

Retailers had slightly less, but still high exposure of £381 million, with many UK high-street brands including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Currys, Poundland, Boots, Next, Argos, Selfridges, Costco and Argos, all impacted. 

Many leading UK and global fashion and cosmetics brands, such as Chanel, Ted Baker, Burberry, Barbour and Carpi Holdings, have a combined exposure of £214 million.