This is an idea from the United States, and I’m not sure how applicable it is to the UK, but I thought I’d bring it to you anyway. It may well trigger off an idea.

Pieces Of There is a subscription based services aimed at students and other individuals who are living, working or studying away from their home state. It’s for people who want a reminder of their home state which is delivered via monthly gift boxes. The company have boxes for each of the 50 states. They also have boxes for British, Indian, Irish and Chinese students living in the US.

Each box contains items with a strong association with that state. For example the New York boxes may include a city map and some Hampton Coffee, while Alaskans could get some wild berry tea and an Ulu knife. The Louisiana boxes feature Old New Orleans Rum and a Mardi Gras mask, while Washingtonians get Portlock Smoked Salmon Filet and Starbucks Frappuccino.

I’m not sure whether there are sufficiently strong county associations to make this work here, but what about International ones? Might Australian, Middle Eastern or Chinese students studying in the UK be a valid target market for something like this?