High street embraces made in UK options

Garment production in the UK is generally an expensive option for the majority of brands, and mostly used by luxury companies who can afford to charge for craftsmanship and a premium product. The high street has generally shied away from offering British goods, due to the sheer costings.

Made in Britain endorsed by Downing Street

The campaign for making goods in Britain has been widely championed by Downing Street and thus it was only a matter of time before the high street began to catch on.

M&S is amongst the largest retailers who have launched a Best of British range, offering fashion made in the UK from British fabrics and trims. But other retailers are hot on its heels.

Karen Millen is to launch a collection of outerwear this fall, made out of Shoreditch, London.

Casualwear brand Fat Face has had a British Heritage collection for three years, reports the Financial Times, and high street retailer Jigsaw sources tweed from a factory in Cumbria. Burberry still makes some of its rain macs in the UK, although they are considered a luxury product.

As the UK looks to develop its garment-making skills, many experts warn there are not enough factories or skilled workers to handle mass production. More importantly, the high cost of labour means that to produce less costly items, like basic T-shirts, margins must be lowered in order to keep costs down. Shareholders and retailers are not like to cut their margins to move manufacturing back to the UK.

The great incentive, of course, is the speed at which garments can be sold on the shop floor. Without shipping, duties and managing an international production, the time it takes from factory to store can be as little as 24 hours. And that's a huge saving.

Image: M&S Best of British