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UK apparel trade shows sharp recovery in September

Textile fabric and fibre imports also posted marginal gains. Fabric imports stood at £*** million (~$***.** million), *.** per cent higher than £*** million in September ****, while fibre imports inched up to £** million (~$**.** million) from £** million a year earlier. Month on month, fabric imports rose from £*** million, and fibre imports from £** million. These modest increases point to stabilising manufacturing activity and early preparation for **** sourcing cycles.

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* ****. In Q* ****, fabric and fibre imports had reached £*.*** billion and £** million, respectively. Quarterly growth suggests stronger order placements by UK brands following improved retail sell-through over the summer.