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UK's apparel imports down 10% to $1.9 bn in November 2025

18 Jan '26

2 min read

UK's apparel imports down 10% to $1.9 bn in November 2025

Pic: Shutterstock.com

Insights

UK apparel imports fell sharply in November despite a strong Q3 rebound, showing volatile buying patterns as retailers adjust inventories. Quarterly growth in clothing and fabrics signals improved summer sell-through and restocking by brands. Two years of contraction in 2023–24 underline how fragile demand remains under inflationary pressure.

Textile fabric and fibre imports also posted decline. Fabric imports stood at £*** million (~$***.** million), *.** per cent lower than £*** million in November ****, while fibre imports slipped to £** million (~$**.** million) from £** million a year earlier. Month on month, fabric imports eased from £*** million but fibre imports remained steady at £** million.

During the third quarter (Q*) of ****, the UK imported clothing worth £*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion), up **.** per cent from £*.*** billion in Q* **** and **.** per cent higher than £*.*** billion in Q* ****. Fabric imports during Q* were valued at £*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion), while textile fibre imports totalled £** million (~$***.** million), compared with £*.*** billion and £** million, respectively, in Q* ****.