UK woolen industry sales jump 50% in five years

18 Feb '13

2 min read

Thanks to ‘Campaign for Wool’ aimed at reviving the interest of consumers for woolen products and the growing demand from emerging markets, the annual sales of the UK woolen industry have risen by about 50 percent from £180 million in 2007 to £270 million in 2012, according to a guardian.co.uk report.

About 40 woolen mills are currently operational in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Scottish Highlands in the UK, which currently employ around 5,000 persons.

At these mills, wool imported from Australia, is turned into some of the finest apparel pieces in the world, including suits, cardigans and scarves, by expert weavers and dyers.

Last year, the production at these mills was up by 12 percent year-on-year, mainly due to the growing demand from the middle class in emerging markets.

Over 70 percent of wool items made in the UK are sold overseas, and according to experts, the British woolen industry is able to compete not on price, but on quality.

Experts also attribute the jump in British woolen products to the growing awareness of consumers, who are keen to know the process involved in the transformation of raw wool to their favourite garments.

The Campaign for Wool, launched by the Prince of Wales in 2010, has contributed to the revival of the British wool industry, according to analysts. The Campaign has raised consumer awareness and people are often seen queuing up at mills to see how apparels are made from wool.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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