Fashion
Only 21% of UK firms see export orders increase in Q4 2025: BCC
Half of exporters saw no change in orders, while 28 per cent reported a decline, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing UK trade. Smaller firms have been disproportionately affected. Just 19 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported rising export orders, compared with 39 per cent of companies employing more than 250 people, the BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook showed.
Micro-exporters with fewer than ten employees fared worst, with only 17 per cent reporting growth, while 30 per cent saw a fall in orders.
UK exporters remain under sustained pressure as overseas demand weakens, renewing calls for an urgent UK-EU trade reset.
Only 21 per cent of firms reported higher export orders in Q4 2025, down from 31 per cent in 2018, according to BCC.
SMEs and micro-exporters were hit hardest, while large firms performed better, reflecting deepening structural challenges despite post-pandemic recovery efforts.
“For smaller businesses, the last seven years have been some of the most challenging ever to try and grow exports. Things started to take a turn for the worse as the trade implications of Brexit became clear in 2018 and they have been in the doldrums ever since,” said William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC. “A succession of further shocks on top of that—from COVID, wars, supply chain disruption and tariffs—have turned exporting into an uphill slog where the path keeps getting steeper.”
“The Prime Minister’s trip to China and the real progress made on trade deals with the US, EU and India last year show the government understands the difficulties. But we need to see a real focus in 2026 on delivering what has been agreed. The BCC’s EU reset report sets out very clearly the big issues that must be tackled before the year is out,” added Bain.
A survey of more than 2,000 exporters highlighted the sustained impact of Brexit, COVID, geopolitical tensions and tariffs on UK export performance. Since 2018, fewer than 28 per cent of firms have reported higher export orders, with the figure averaging just 22 per cent since late 2024, despite the post-pandemic recovery. The data was collected between November 10, and December 8, 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
US’ Nike launches Air Max 95 City Pack inspired by global culture
More than a modern extension of a timeless icon, the City Pack collection salutes the Air Max 95’s pioneering spirit with four bold footwear styles and complementary apparel inspired by regional craft and street-level entrepreneurship.
Nike has unveiled the Air Max 95 City Pack, a global footwear and apparel capsule marking three decades of the iconic silhouette.
The collection features four city-inspired sneaker styles—Atelier, Hong Kong, I-95 and Seongsu—each reflecting local creative culture, community energy and street entrepreneurship, alongside updated sportswear influenced by motorsports and gaming culture.
Each piece is inspired by local communities and the intrepid athletes who call them home.
- The “Atelier” style honors the new collectives redefining the creative hustle in Paris’ “third space” studios, featuring a neutral gradient upper that fades into the Air Max 95’s signature black midsole.
- The “Hong Kong” colorway salutes the city’s bold cultural attitude. Red gradients on the upper mirror the glow of Hong Kong’s iconic neon-lit streets, while a remix of textures reflects the city’s own hustle — absorbing and remixing diverse influences to fuel an unstoppable pulse. Hidden in the glow of the Hong Kong night, the continuous exchange and friction of ideas sparks constant inspiration.
- The “I-95” design is forged from the strength of community, bike life around the I-95 highway, and the streets of Baltimore — featuring an all-black upper and distinct metal eyelets.
- The “Seongsu” colorway draws on the dynamic and evolving energy of Seoul’s vibrant neighborhood, known by its subway station number, 211 — connecting history and innovation through an expressive gray upper, black accents and red laces inspired by the city’s reimagined creative spaces.
City Pack apparel includes classic sportswear staples restyled to meet the moment of today, as well as striking pieces inspired by motorsports and gaming culture.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
Fashion
ICE cotton slides as strong dollar, metal sell-off hit prices
ICE cotton futures fell sharply amid a stronger US dollar and a broad commodity sell-off, with prices pressured by weak fundamentals and falling crude oil.
Precious metals losses and expectations of tighter US monetary policy further weighed on sentiment.
Heavy trading volumes and rising open interest pointed to fresh short positions, even as early Asian trade showed limited recovery.
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Fashion
Reserve Bank of Australia raises cash rate by 25 bps to 3.85%
While inflation has eased significantly from its 2022 peak, the Board noted that recent price pressures partly reflect stronger demand and capacity constraints. Private demand growth has exceeded expectations, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said in a release.
Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent, citing a renewed pick-up in inflation during the second half of 2025.
The Board said stronger-than-expected private demand, easing financial conditions and persistent labour market tightness are adding to capacity pressures, keeping inflation above target for longer.
The decision was unanimous.
Financial conditions had eased through 2025, credit remained readily available, and earlier rate cuts were yet to fully feed through to demand, prices and wages. Labour market conditions remain tight, with unemployment lower than expected and unit labour costs still elevated despite some moderation in wage growth.
Looking ahead, the Board said that stronger domestic demand alongside limited supply capacity could further intensify inflation pressures. Global uncertainties persist, but growth among Australia’s major trading partners has so far surprised on the upside. The decision to raise rates was unanimous, with policymakers reaffirming their commitment to price stability and full employment.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
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