UK firms need a clear strategy to succeed in a changing American economy
British firms need a clear strategy if they want to succeed in the changing US economy, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg.
Michael Holland, a partner and lead for US expansion at the firm, said: “The latest Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) statistics show the US is still a growth market for UK firms, but success now depends on sharper targeting and a clear strategy to win.”
He added: “The US economy is still growing, with GDP expanding at an annualised rate of 1.6% in Q1 2026. Core domestic demand is still holding up, with real final sales to private domestic purchasers rising 2.4%, which suggests customers and businesses are still spending. However, with inflation remaining elevated and corporate profit growth slowing sharply, the bar for success is rising.”
Michael said: “British firms’ strategy to succeed in this environment needs to start with recognising that the US is a very large and highly varied country, not one single uniform market. Successful expansion strategies usually focus on specific regions first, whether that is the East Coast, the Pacific North West, the North East or the central states, rather than trying to target the entire US at once.”
He added: “Firms need to test whether there is a genuine customer base for their product or service, decide which areas offer the best fit, and understand how local rules, taxes, tariffs and operating costs could affect margins. They also need to think carefully about pricing, routes to market and how much investment is needed before the business becomes commercially viable. In short, the British businesses most likely to succeed are often those being pulled into the US by real customer demand and that have a well thought out strategy to make the most of that opportunity.”
Michael said: “The British businesses that will prosper in 2026 are those that are targeted in where they play, disciplined in how they price, and realistic about the cost and complexity of scaling in the US.”