The end of another era - Low-cost clothes

mizzbiz

It may make UK clothin manufacturers competitve again. After all, we only imported from China and India because it was cheaper. If it's no loner viable to do this, maybe in the shortterm it will revive some parts of UK Manufacturing.

Very good news that home crafts and making own clothes is coming back. This could be a period of mass re-education and reality shock for a lare chunk of the population!

MissMoneypenny

mizzbiz wrote: »

It may make UK clothin manufacturers competitve again. After all, we only imported from China and India because it was cheaper. If it's no loner viable to do this, maybe in the shortterm it will revive some parts of UK Manufacturing.

Very good news that home crafts and making own clothes is coming back. This could be a period of mass re-education and reality shock for a lare chunk of the population!

A poster on another thread, said that her mother had a job where she advised companies how to get out of their contracts to India.

I don't mind paying more for goods if it brings work back to the UK.

lynzpower

this has been brewing for a while IMO.

Its been said for many years ( not sure how true it is) that denim prices rise hugely in downturn times, as people feel that they want durability. Any truth in this? Saying that most "denim" thats on the high st doesnt last 5 minutes, altohugh Ive been wearing a firetrap pair of jeans for over 3 years with only a little fade. Wonder if the dylon share price will go up as people start redying stuff they already have!!

I think we shall start seeing in the medium term prices for import rising anyway. China and India are dealing with the same energy costs as we all are, and importing and transporting stuff is going to get more pricey. indeed, I also expect that the demand in increase in standards of living in both china & india will impact on prices too. It was always going to happen thats development for you.

I think one issue is that shopping for clothes is a HOBBY for so many people- not buying when they need it, its a social occasion for so many people I know. they will go and spend 20 quid in primark have a starbucks etc go home.

Im all for bringing it back to the UK - although I do worry about the impact of indian people who sew sequins, it really is the difference between eating and not eating for them.

So instead of a bag full of tops Im about to buy an Oxfam issue water pump for Tanzanian Paddy farmers at 25 quid a go.

fc123

Phirefly wrote: »

Theres 2 distinct camps emerging in the industry press, those who believe value will boom in this climate, and the opposition who believe quality and longevity will become more important.

I've spread my bets.

I've noticed a so called upturn in handcrafts being reported, record sales of sewing machines, etc. Theres a homecrafts ccompany near me that was on the local news the other night as they've become such an overnight success. No doubt subject of media hype and spin, but this could be a growth area to watch...

Me too with ref to words in red.
I wanna quit in 4 yrs time *bleat* and rescue battery hens, grow beetroots and try a spot of home weaving.....plus run an 'achingly cool sideline' at the same time.

I heard about the rise in sales of sewing machines too but haven't seen any real life evidence of this. We lose sales of 'The Perfect Skirt...if it were 1" shorter'.....they won't/cannot take up a hem only 1".

The biggy is the fact that there is just Too Much Stuff out there.
Low prices were propped up with high volume sales.
Volumes are dropping (for varied reasons) and now retailers are just left with the low prices....and a customer expectation of 'Value' that is now out of sync.


Prices will rise but, in the interim, many will close (manly indies first)....and that will leave a lot less choice...but TBH there is now too much choice.
The Shopping Centre, as we know it, is going to morph into a whole new derelict being in the next 2 decades.
What has happened to food is going to happen to clothing.
Roll on The Mao Look in 2015.

Conrad

TV makeover programmes imply we are lesser people if we dont look a certain way. The emphasis is often on cheap 'New Look' type clothes.

Phirefly

lynzpower wrote: »

I think one issue is that shopping for clothes is a HOBBY for so many people- not buying when they need it, its a social occasion for so many people I know. they will go and spend 20 quid in primark have a starbucks etc go home.

Thats really interesting - I've never really thought of it like that, but you're right. I think it will take an extremely severe pinch before shopping hobbyists give up their weekly fix. O to have the time to wander around the shops purely for recreation *sigh*

Kidswear's where its at anyway - cash strapped adults can wear last seasons' clobber but kids have a wonderful habit of growing out of their clothes....

poppysarah

I reckon virtually all imported clothing is made at about the same cost to the workers (Even india and china outsource to Africa now) and I think the difference is only in the price you pay for it.
And the profit that the company makes for it.

The impact of cheap clothes on charity shop stock has been interesting to watch over the last year or so.