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15 October 2012 11:01
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Sir Philip Green has been ramping up the use of UK based clothing manufacturers in a bid to help support the UK economy.
Last year Green's use of UK based factories was negligible and has increased to 47 today – an increase of 20%. Whilst this move is in part designed to support the British economy it is also a reaction to rising labour costs in China where much of the previous production took place. Additionally, new lines can be introduced in a shorter space of time if clothes are produced in the UK.
Following similar moves by John Lewis, ASOS and Mulberry, many retailers are looking to increase production of items in the UK. Once a major employer across the UK, textile and clothing manufacturing has been in decline for many years and particularly so in the last decade, as production has moved to China and other overseas economies.
Today the industry employs 100,000 people with moves such as this hoping to revive this section of the economy. Green is however cautious about this effect and commented that it was "evolution rather than revolution."
