LONDON - The most comprehensive piece of research on UK textile manufacturing for two decades has found that up to £11bn worth of textiles are being manufactured in the country – placing the UK in the top 15 textile manufacturing countries globally and suggesting that reports of the death of the UK textiles industry may have been greatly exaggerated. The research suggests the UK is well positioned to capitalise on shifting dynamics in the global textile manufacturing arena, where retailers are realising the benefits of 'near-shoring', particularly for high added value products or when brands want to react rapidly to a new fashion trend. "High-end and mid-market apparel, fast fashion, luxury clothing and homeware products are the areas where the proposition for repatriation is strongest," says the Alliance Project report which was commissioned by Lord David Alliance. "The more added value in the manufacture process, from design, to digital and panel printing, jersey and jacquard, embroidery and knitwear, the more the market can be made in the UK."
