Fashion
UK business optimism rises in July on manufacturing rebound
Recent trade agreements could be a driver of this uptick for manufacturing optimism. However, headwinds including weak GDP growth, high labour and energy costs and ongoing uncertainty surrounding future global trade policy continue to weigh on confidence, BDO said in its latest monthly Business Trends report.
UK business optimism rose to 91.96 in July, led by a manufacturing rebound, BDO reported.
New trade deals lifted sentiment, but weak GDP growth, high costs, and trade policy uncertainty weigh on confidence.
Output remains muted, and employment hit a near 13-year low, with hiring constrained by rising costs.
BDO sees fragile recovery and persistently low employment through 2025.
BDO’s output index also edged down to 97.79 in July from 98.05 in June, signalling sustained yet muted growth below historic levels. Although new trade deals are showing promise, this has yet to unlock meaningful investments for businesses. Margin pressures remain acute, and companies are still holding back amid uncertainty.
Against this backdrop, the BDO Employment Index fell to 94.11 in July, matching its lowest reading since October 2012. This near 13-year low reflects a marked cooling in the labour market, with declining payrolled employee numbers and falling vacancy rates contributing to subdued hiring sentiment.
While there are survey-based signs of modest improvement in near-term recruitment plans for manufacturers, the structural pressures remain acute across all sectors. Higher employer National Insurance Contributions and April’s rise in the National Living Wage have tightened labour budgets, and businesses are preparing for further cost exposure ahead of the Autumn Statement, BDO said in a press release.
With economic analysis behind the Business Trends report forecasting an unemployment rate peak at 4.9 per cent later this year, there is limited scope for a meaningful recovery in employment conditions. BDO expects the employment index to remain at historically low levels for the rest of 2025.
“There are signs of recovery, but they are fragile. Manufacturers may be breathing a little easier in the wake of trade deals, but their output is yet to catch up,” said Scott Knight, head of growth at BDO. “Business leaders are stuck in limbo, waiting for clearer signals from the government that further investment will be worth the gamble.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion demand in 2026 remains intact but more selective, with consumers spending cautiously and prioritising value, durability and versatility.
Intentional purchasing and promotion sensitivity are reshaping pricing dynamics and margin structures.
Polarised consumer behaviour is pushing brands to rebuild trust, justify full price and align sustainability with longevity.
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Directed and shot by Mert Alas, the new chapter sharpens the focus on denim as the ultimate expression of personal style through icon Jung Kook’s distinctive and influential point of view as he lives in the moment.
Calvin Klein, owned by PVH Corp., has unveiled its Spring 2026 denim campaign fronted by BTS icon Jung Kook.
Directed and photographed by Mert Alas, the cinematic film fuses music, movement and city energy, highlighting 90s Straight, Baggy and reworked Trucker silhouettes.
A special appearance by Rosie Perez amplifies the brand’s signature visual storytelling.
The campaign unfolds across a series of immersive worlds, unified and guided by Jung Kook’s style, attitude and way of living. The high-impact film fuses fashion and entertainment, moving to an instantly recognizable soundtrack and brought to life through the artist’s signature choreography and commanding presence. The interplay of music and movement – complete with a cameo from New York City legend Rosie Perez – captures the impact synonymous with Calvin Klein’s iconic visual storytelling.
Calvin Klein jeans are at the center of the wardrobe with hero silhouettes leading the narrative: the effortless attitude of the 90s Straight; the relaxed and nostalgic proportions of the Baggy; and new interpretations of the iconic Trucker jacket — all reimagined with elevated washes and designed for versatility. Casual logo tees and oversized bombers complete the looks, reinforcing denim as both uniform and statement.
“I love Calvin Klein jeans because they’re designed to be lived in,” said Jung Kook. “The looks I wore for this campaign nod to ‘90s style while feeling completely modern. It was exciting to bring together my love of music, dance and fashion against the energy of the city.”
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)
Premier Li Qiang, who delivered the report at the opening of the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing, said the growth target is “well aligned with the country’s long-range objectives through the year 2035 and is broadly in line with the long-term growth potential of China’s economy, with favorable conditions in place for achieving this target.”
China has set a GDP growth target of 4.5–5 per cent for 2026, alongside goals to stabilise employment, manage inflation, maintain grain output and cut emissions.
The plan also preserves flexibility for structural reforms under the 15th Five-Year Plan, aiming to balance steady economic expansion with long-term, high-quality and sustainable development.
Main development targets for 2026 also include a surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 per cent, creation of over 12 million new urban jobs, a rise in the consumer price index of around 2 per cent, personal income growth in step with economic growth, a basic equilibrium in the balance of payments, grain output of around 700 million tonnes, and a drop of around 3.8 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP.
Qiang said the targets took into account the need to leave room for structural adjustments, risk prevention and reform in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period, to lay a solid foundation for improved performance in the coming years. Government at local level should, taking into account their own conditions, make solid efforts to deliver positive outcomes, he added.
Analysts said the 2026 target reflects a pragmatic approach in recognising structural and cyclical challenges facing the world’s second-largest economy, while pursuing reasonable growth in line with high-quality development.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
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