Month: July 2015

Can schools provide the next generation of fashion and textiles employees?

July 16, 2015

With the fashion and textiles manufacturing sector experiencing positive sentiment and economic data, firms looking to expand. As evidenced by the recent Alliance report, the sector could require 20,000 additional staff by 2020.   This is against a backdrop of an ageing workforce which will requiring replacing. Additionally, these staff have acquired a high level of … More Can schools provide the next generation of fashion and textiles employees?

Can the UK economic upturn be seen in the clothing hire and dry-cleaning sector?

July 16, 2015

As we have seen, it seems as if the UK consumer is re-enforcing the message that the economy is back in growth through the continued increase in consumer spending on clothing and footwear. An interesting indicator of this confidence can be seen in the spending on the cleaning and hire of clothing that grew to … More Can the UK economic upturn be seen in the clothing hire and dry-cleaning sector?

How has textiles sector productivity fared compared to other areas of UK manufacturing?

July 15, 2015

An interesting analysis of the Index of Production shows how the textiles sector has fared compared to other sectors of the UK economy in the millennium and more recently since 2011. Telling the story of the millennium and the continued move within Britain to a service economy, only four sectors have seen growth since 2000. … More How has textiles sector productivity fared compared to other areas of UK manufacturing?

Has the financial crisis impacted UK apparel exports to Greece?

July 15, 2015

Whilst the Greek market makes up just over 1% of total European exports, can fashion exports from the UK tell a story of the on-going of the current financial situation? Analysis of apparel exports show how their value to Greece fell to just over £4 million in April 2015. However, April in 2014, a similar … More Has the financial crisis impacted UK apparel exports to Greece?

Sharp falls recorded in Scottish textile production

July 15, 2015

Figures released this month by Scottish Government show the textiles, clothing and leather sector in Scotland continued its recent fall in productivity to now stand 13 per cent lower than in 2012 and more than 20 per cent lower than the corresponding quarter in 2012. This is in the context of both production and wider … More Sharp falls recorded in Scottish textile production

Consumer Spending on Clothing and Footwear Continues its Upward Trend

July 10, 2015

The latest quarterly clothing and footwear sales figures show that the UK consumer confidence is continuing to grow and is reflected in the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.  The first quarter of 2015 saw consumers spend over £14 billion in the first quarter of 2015 and continues the upward trajectory seen in … More Consumer Spending on Clothing and Footwear Continues its Upward Trend

ONS Report a Large Surge in Fashion and Textiles Manufacturing Employment

July 10, 2015

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics Labour Force Survey (LFS) measure (based on survey respondents rather than business records that other sources commonly use but remains a good indicator of sentiment and the measure used by government for employment statistics) confirms that March 2015 saw a rise in employment to 116,000, a … More ONS Report a Large Surge in Fashion and Textiles Manufacturing Employment

British leather footwear – a global reach and continuing on its rise

July 9, 2015

British footwear manufacture is undergoing something of a renaissance as the world looks to British craftsmanship and branding. The latest UKTI figures for footwear exports from the UK stood at £1.3bn in 2014. This is up from £850 million in 2010. Focus on leather footwear Focussing on leather footwear, symbolic of the traditional skills and … More British leather footwear – a global reach and continuing on its rise

Online Fashion: Unpicking the key trends

July 9, 2015

The UK is increasingly becoming a computer literate and online society.   Vast changes in computer use and surfing habits are occurring as technology, infrastructure and increasing generational access continue to grow.   More and more Unpicking figures from the Office of National Statistics households and individuals survey gives us some striking messages on how the future … More Online Fashion: Unpicking the key trends

Apprenticeships – Are Fashion and Textiles employers accessing the offer

July 9, 2015

Apprenticeships are the Government’s preferred mechanism for funding vocational training, giving the Apprentice, normally within a two year programme of learning the chance to earn in employment with an employer. The apprenticeships.org.uk website states the following benefits for employers include: – Apprenticeships help businesses grow their own talent. – Apprenticeships develop a motivated, skilled and … More Apprenticeships – Are Fashion and Textiles employers accessing the offer