We certainly have a mixed bag of fortunes within the fashion industry at the moment. People in full-time employment, who represent 39% of all clothing and footwear shoppers, have spent in the latest half year £5.1bn, according to the latest clothing and footwear sales figures from TNS FashionTrak.
In contrast, part-time workers, and non-workers have cut their spending on clothing and footwear by 5% over the same period. Value clothing retailers have capitalised on this trend by enabling people with less income to update their wardrobes without eating into their limited budgets; these tactics have seen the value clothing sector grow by 5% in the past six months.
Full-time workers now spend just 14% of their clothing budget in the value sector compared to part-time and non-workers who spend a fifth of their budget (20%) and buy nearly half of all their items (47%) in discounters and supermarkets.
Students in full-time education have bought 3% more clothing and footwear in the past six months compared with a year ago, but are actually spending 4% less as they too buy at cheaper prices
However, back in the realms of manufacturing the story is far from certain. Britain is facing a manufacturing recession and the loss of more factory jobs over the next year according to the British Chamber of Commerce. This has resulted in factories producing 15% of national output compared to 20% in 1998. Some interesting statistics for those of you currently preparing your business plans!
Enough of the depressing news! There are some rays of sunshine. We are currently working with Douglas Hood on a fantastic new Egyptian project whereby a mix of final year graduate students and/or new designer start-ups have the unique opportunity to work in Cairo…..how good is that! The project is just at its concept stage at the moment and there will be more details following next week.
Can you see yourself here?
A big welcome back to Ellie Rivers who has been on another assignment for the last few weeks. Great to have you back on board and also a welcome to Angela Morris for her latest article on ‘What’s Hot’.
Today we have the next instalment of the Delivery Day programme for Langley Park School for Boys – I still can’t get over how high the design calibre is from these 16-18 year olds! Unbelievable. It’s a great project and week on week numbers have been increasing.
Black Rose
Great news! The revised and updated LFF magazine goes to press this week. It has been styled by Jo Iles chief reporter on www.fashioncapital.co.uk and this new format is definitely the best to date. The magazine is available for LFF members only and if you wish to join then please see www.lffonline.com for further details.
Many thanks to the Government Office of London (GOL) who invited me to attend the Every Woman conference at Russels Square today. Very appreciated! Their strap line “Inspiration, Contact Building and Learning” really says it all. Lisa Larson is also attending, again, kind courtesy of GOL.
Ok, that’s it for this week. Have a good week ahead.
Jenny Holloway
Industry Advisor.
