Month: December 2015

Fashion and textiles manufacturers buck wider trend

December 8, 2015

As widely reported today, manufacturing fell 0.4 points on the Index of Production in October 2015 and is currently 0.1 points lower than in October 2014.  Yesterday, I reported on the EEF reporting tougher conditions, especially in heavy non-consumer manufacturing. Fashion and textiles manufacturers did manage to buck this trend, reporting  a 0.3 point increase … More Fashion and textiles manufacturers buck wider trend

Specialist clothing chains and non-supermarket chains prospered in 2014

December 8, 2015

The Office for National Statistics this morning published its expenditure by place of purchase datasets for 2014. The pattern to emerge from both the average weekly expenditure per household and total weekly expenditure is one of no growth within supermarket chain purchases although both specialist clothing chains and other outlets (inc. internet shopping) saw consumer … More Specialist clothing chains and non-supermarket chains prospered in 2014

EEF q4 2015 survey predicts gloomy short-term outlook for wider UK manufacturing

December 7, 2015

Today the EEF published the findings of its q4 2015 manufacturer’s survey and made for poor reading. Falls in both output and orders has been recorded for the third successive quarter with investment and employment intentions by employers downgraded as weak global demand and a strong pound impact on export orders. The EEF also predicts … More EEF q4 2015 survey predicts gloomy short-term outlook for wider UK manufacturing

Latest Job Seekers Allowance figures show positive signs but skills shortages potentially becoming more acute

December 4, 2015

A common theme from much contemporary research and employer sentiment within the sector has been the shortage of skills available to employers looking to recruit. Whilst these figures reflect positively in terms of the economic environment the sector is in with employment levels increasing and industry sentiment up, the lack of available staffing is preventing … More Latest Job Seekers Allowance figures show positive signs but skills shortages potentially becoming more acute

Record September exports of apparel although fashion trade gap persists

December 4, 2015

September’s trade figures for textile and apparel products from the UKTI confirmed the wider economic picture of a widening trade gap although  monthly apparel exports hit record levels. The annual trade gap stood at £14.9bn for the month, slightly down on August’s peak and a long way off December 2013’s figure of £13.9bn as amongst … More Record September exports of apparel although fashion trade gap persists