In 2023, the R&D expenditure in the UK's textile, apparel, and leather manufacturing sectors stood at a reported estimate of 56.35 million USD PPP. Forecasts from 2024 to 2028 show a steady growth, with year-on-year increases between 2.8% and 2.5%. The overall compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2028 is expected to be approximately 2.5%, indicating a sustained upward trend in R&D investment across these sectors.

Future trends to watch for:

Increased emphasis on sustainability and circular economies may drive further R&D investments.
Technological advancements such as smart textiles and wearable tech are potential areas for growth.
Global supply chain shifts could impact the direction and scale of R&D efforts.