Demand for Made in Britain clothing soars

Clothing that is made in Britain is growing in demand, according to the latest research. Consumers are seeking out mens and womenswear that is British-made following the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh last month.

According to Markit/CIPS the demand helped UK manufacturing output soar to its highest level in more than a year in May.

Factory

orders rose at fastest rate in 2 years

Orders for clothing from Britain’s textile and clothing factories rose at the fastest rate in more than two years. The domestic market was the main driver of new order inflows, although new export business also contributed with a modest increase.

The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 51.3, the highest reading since March 2012 and against analysts’ expectations of 50.3. Revised data showed that the sector expanded to 50.2 in April, following an initial reading that came in below the 50-mark that divides growth from contraction, reported WGSN.

Christopher Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said the data suggested the rise in domestic demand was partly due to the Bangladesh clothing factory disaster that killed more than 1,100 workers in April.

“The upturn was only evident in the domestic market, so that could suggest more people were seeking out UK-based clothing suppliers," he said.

Stronger demand from North America, East Asia, Russia, Germany and France supported British exports, where demand for new cars rose to the highest level since March 2012.

Manufacturing firms also began hiring for the first time in four months in May, as the recent upturn in production encouraged job creation.

Image: Geri Halliwell Union Jack dress