UK fashion market statistics are structured numerical indicators that measure the size, performance, employment strength, spending behaviour, and long-term stability of the fashion industry across the United Kingdom. These figures are used to assess growth momentum, consumer confidence, workforce dependency, and the sector’s contribution to the wider UK economy.
Snapshot of the UK fashion industry at a glance
The table below summarises the most important headline indicators that define the current position of the UK fashion sector on XXBrits.
UK fashion industry headline metrics
| Indicator | Latest Measured Value |
| Total market value | £60+ billion annually |
| Share of UK GDP | ~2.5% |
| Direct employment | 800,000+ jobs |
| Indirect employment | 1.3+ million roles |
| Annual household fashion spend | £1,000–£1,100 per household |
| Online share of fashion sales | ~40% |
| Export value | £9–£10 billion |
| Retail store count | 20,000+ outlets |
| SME share of businesses | ~85% |
These figures position fashion as one of the largest consumer-led industries in the UK, comparable in economic weight to sectors such as hospitality and construction.
Market size evolution over time
The UK fashion market has not grown evenly. Its size reflects economic cycles, consumer confidence, and changes in retail behaviour.
UK fashion market value by year
| Year | Market Value (£bn) | Year-on-Year Change |
| 2015 | 58.2 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 59.4 | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 60.7 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 61.3 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 62.0 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 53.8 | −13.2% |
| 2021 | 56.9 | +5.8% |
| 2022 | 59.1 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 60.4 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | 61.0 (est.) | +1.0% |
The contraction in 2020 shows how sensitive fashion is to mobility and income disruption. Recovery since then has been steady rather than rapid, indicating a structurally cautious consumer base.
Consumer spending behaviour in the UK
Fashion spending tracks closely with disposable income and confidence levels.
Average annual fashion spend per UK adult
| Category | Annual Spend (£) |
| Clothing | 720 |
| Footwear | 210 |
| Accessories | 110 |
| Total | ~1,040 |
This distribution shows that discretionary categories such as accessories are the first to slow when household budgets tighten.
Monthly fashion spend distribution
| Month | Relative Spend Index |
| January | 85 |
| February | 90 |
| March | 95 |
| April | 100 |
| May | 105 |
| June | 110 |
| July | 108 |
| August | 102 |
| September | 98 |
| October | 100 |
| November | 120 |
| December | 137 |
Peak demand remains concentrated around late Q4, reinforcing the industry’s dependence on seasonal performance.
Online vs physical retail performance
The balance between digital and store-based fashion retail has permanently shifted.
Channel share of UK fashion sales
| Channel | Share of Total Sales |
| Online pure-play retailers | 27% |
| Online via multichannel brands | 13% |
| Physical retail only | 60% |
Combined online fashion sales now account for roughly two-fifths of all purchases, a level that has remained stable since post-pandemic normalisation.
Average order value comparison
| Channel | Average Order Value (£) |
| Online | 78 |
| In-store | 52 |
Higher online order values reflect bundling behaviour and free-delivery thresholds.
Employment and workforce dependency
Fashion is one of the UK’s largest private-sector employers.
Employment by function
| Segment | Number of Jobs |
| Retail sales staff | 410,000 |
| Manufacturing & production | 95,000 |
| Design & product development | 70,000 |
| Logistics & warehousing | 140,000 |
| Marketing, buying & head office | 120,000 |
| Total | 835,000 |
This employment mix shows the sector’s heavy reliance on frontline retail roles, making it highly sensitive to store closures and footfall shifts.
Regional employment concentration
| Region | Share of Fashion Jobs |
| London | 29% |
| South East England | 18% |
| North West England | 14% |
| Midlands | 13% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 9% |
| Other regions | 17% |
London remains the commercial and creative centre, but production and logistics roles are more geographically spread.
Business structure and company size
The fashion industry in the UK is dominated by smaller operators rather than large corporations.
Business size distribution
| Company Size | Share of Businesses |
| Micro (1–9 staff) | 62% |
| Small (10–49 staff) | 23% |
| Medium (50–249 staff) | 11% |
| Large (250+ staff) | 4% |
Despite representing a small share of total firms, large companies account for a disproportionate share of revenue.
Revenue concentration by company size
| Company Size | Share of Industry Revenue |
| Large enterprises | 58% |
| Medium enterprises | 21% |
| Small enterprises | 14% |
| Micro enterprises | 7% |
This imbalance explains why supply chain pressure often flows downward to smaller suppliers during economic stress.
UK fashion exports and global trade position
British fashion retains strong international demand, particularly in premium segments.
UK fashion exports by region
| Destination | Export Value (£bn) |
| European Union | 4.1 |
| United States | 2.3 |
| Asia-Pacific | 1.6 |
| Middle East | 0.8 |
| Other markets | 0.9 |
| Total | ~9.7 |
Exports remain concentrated in established markets, indicating stable but limited diversification.
Product category export split
| Category | Share of Export Value |
| Apparel | 52% |
| Footwear | 18% |
| Luxury accessories | 21% |
| Textiles | 9% |
Higher-margin categories account for a growing share of export earnings.
Pricing pressure and inflation impact
Rising costs have reshaped pricing strategies across the industry.
Average price movement by category (annual)
| Category | Price Change |
| Basic apparel | +6.2% |
| Branded fashion | +7.5% |
| Footwear | +8.1% |
| Accessories | +5.4% |
Price growth has consistently outpaced wage growth, contributing to slower unit sales even when revenue appears stable.
Long-term performance indicators
To understand direction rather than short-term noise, the following indicators are most closely watched.
Structural performance metrics
| Indicator | Trend Direction |
| Unit volumes sold | Gradual decline |
| Average selling price | Upward |
| Store count | Declining |
| Online penetration | Plateauing |
| Employment stability | Flat |
| Export dependency | Increasing |
These patterns suggest a mature market focused on margin protection rather than volume expansion.
What the data collectively shows
When viewed together, these statistics point to a UK fashion industry that is:
- Economically significant but structurally mature
- Increasingly reliant on fewer, higher-value transactions
- Heavily dependent on consumer confidence cycles
- Concentrated in large firms despite a wide SME base
- Stable in exports but cautious domestically
The numbers do not show collapse or explosive growth. They show consolidation, price sensitivity, and careful adaptation.