The employment in the UK wearing apparel sector has shown a consistent decline from 2013 to 2023, decreasing from 26.21 thousand FTEs in 2013 to 14.45 thousand FTEs in 2023. The sharpest contractions were noticed in 2018 and 2020, with year-on-year declines of 18.02% and 20.61%, respectively. Positive growth spurts in 2014 and 2021 were insufficient to counter the overall downward trend. Over the last five years, from 2018 to 2023, the sector exhibited an average annual decline (CAGR) of 3.19%.

The forecasted data suggest the decline will persist, with expected employment dropping further to 10.73 thousand FTEs by 2028. The projected five-year CAGR from 2024 to 2028 stands at -4.73%, translating to an overall reduction of 21.51% over this period.

Future Trends to Watch for:

Potential impact of technological advancements and automation on employment numbers.
Shifts in consumer behavior towards sustainable and ethically produced apparel.
Brexit and international trade policies affecting the UK apparel sector.
Adoption rates of digitization and e-commerce among apparel retailers.
Implications of global economic conditions and inflation on sector growth.