The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has come out with a report that explores opportunities for growing domestic fashion manufacturing along with a comprehensive analysis of current sourcing trends as also future prospects for apparel manufacturing.
- Based on insights from eight leading UK retailers with a combined turnover of £26.1 billion and operations in 180 countries, the report—Reshoring for Real: The future of domestic UK apparel manufacturing— explores current sourcing behaviours, global supply chain dynamics, circularity initiatives, and provides recommendations to boost domestic UK manufacturing.
As the report examines the current UK sourcing landscape, looking at how ethical concerns are a major barrier, probing how global disruptions are driving reassessment along with a rising demand for circularity and of course the appetite for production in the country and its regulatory/ legislation readiness, it comes up with some strategic recommendations for key stakeholders:
- For brands: Strengthen relationships with UK factories for agile supply needs, support compliance upgrades, and collaborate on sustainability initiatives to future-proof operations. Recognise the net cost of shipping and markdown both financially and in terms of carbon footprint accounting. Gain transparency and visibility of a level playing field by which to judge UK manufacturing.
- For UK garment manufacturers: Focus on strengths— speed, quality, transparency— and invest in cost-reducing technologies, ethical certification, and circular capabilities to win trust and business. High ethical standards and quality are the most important motivators to gain commitment.
- For policymakers: Incentivise and support sustainable manufacturing, support innovation in supply-chains to make the UK a global leader in sustainable fashion and facilitate textile recycling infrastructure at scale. Creating the right manufacturing ecosystem will help attract inward investment into UK apparel manufacturing to build regional capabilities, unlock new technologies and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. This includes both domestic and international investors seeking ethical, transparent, and technologically advanced production ecosystems.
- Future viability: With the right approach and engagement of all parties — brands, suppliers, government and the wider industry network support — alongside, investment and education, the UK can play a huge part in the future of a retailers blended sourcing strategy that could deliver a world leading on shore manufacturing capability. Creating green growth, jobs and investment while reducing carbon and environmental impacts.
ABOUT: The report has been brought out with contributions from SP&KO consultancy. It was funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) as part of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) to accelerate the UK towards a circular fashion ecosystem.
