The UK market for clothing and footwear was worth an estimated £48.55bn in 2007 (Clothing & Footwear Industry Market Review, 2008).
It accounts for about 6% of total consumer spending, the lowest proportion in recent history. Prices have declined considerably. Most items of clothing and footwear now cost less than they did at the turn of the century, both in relation to earnings and in absolute terms.
The fashion and textile industry has always recruited graduates for designer and production manager roles, but now recruitment is broadening. Business and technical skills and international business savvy are increasingly important. The types of careers graduates are recruited into can be divided into the following categories: