Fashion
UK mid-sized businesses surpass 2025 growth targets: BDO
Access to external finance (42 per cent) and rising customer demand (40 per cent) were key drivers of outperformance, supported by productivity gains from technology and AI (39 per cent), successful product or service launches (39 per cent) and better-than-expected recruitment and retention (39 per cent).
UK mid-sized businesses outperformed expectations in 2025, with 74 per cent surpassing growth targets, driven by finance access, AI adoption, and resilient demand, BDO’s research shows.
Firms are maintaining or increasing investment despite subdued sentiment, though confidence in the UK as a growth hub is weak, with 20 per cent shifting overseas.
This positive trading picture is translating into continued capital commitment. Two-thirds (66 per cent) are holding investment steady and 29 per cent are stepping it up, with only 5 per cent delaying and fewer than 1 per cent pausing or withdrawing investment, suggesting firms backing their own pipelines and balance sheets, even as wider economic sentiment remains subdued.
Despite their strong performance, businesses’ confidence in the UK as a place to grow remains limited. Just 35 per cent of mid-sized companies surveyed describe the UK as a ‘strong environment’ for long-term business growth, while 65 per cent say conditions have become more challenging. One in five (20 per cent) are already shifting operations or investment overseas.
That caution reflects persistent structural pressures. On workforce issues, over a third (36 per cent) cite plugging skills gaps as their biggest challenge. Rising wage expectations are another major pressure (24 per cent), likely reflecting the ongoing effects of inflation and higher National Insurance contributions.
Operationally, managing supply chain disruption is the most pressing barrier to growth (32 per cent). At the same time, while AI is seen as a driver of productivity, one in four firms (23 per cent) cite adopting new technologies as a challenge, highlighting the uneven pace of digital transformation across the mid-market.
To fuel their growth, mid-sized businesses are forming new strategic partnerships (45 per cent), looking to secure new investment or finance (42 per cent) and investing in automation, technology or AI (42 per cent).
A further 37 per cent are expanding their physical footprint or operations and the same proportion are entering new markets. These data points showed a mid-market willing to commit capital to capacity and innovation, but pragmatic about directing growth wherever conditions are most favourable, in the UK or overseas.
“These findings highlight the strength of the UK’s mid-market: businesses are delivering growth and continuing to invest despite challenging conditions. But they also carry a warning: confidence in the UK as a place to scale is not assured,” said Richard Austin, partner at BDO. “With mid-sized businesses forecast to contribute £745 billion to UK GVA and create an extra 1.9 million jobs by 2028, the government will want to use the Autumn Budget to reassure this section of the market and address persistent barriers around skills, costs and competitiveness. Only with the mid-market firmly and confidently anchored in the UK, will we see the growth the economy needs.”
The survey was conducted among more than 500 leaders of mid-sized businesses in UK.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
As Bangladesh heads towards general election in February next year, the GED’s economic outlook is cautiously optimistic.
Deep structural weaknesses along with the political transition period could constrain economic momentum, Bangladesh’s Planning Commission recently said.
The economy could regain pace if the election leads to a clear political direction and reforms are carried out.
Election-related spending and possible disruptions may add further pressure on inflation and the foreign exchange market.
The update said the economy could regain pace if the election produces a clear political direction and the next government decisively undertakes long-delayed reforms, particularly in improving the business climate, stabilising the banking system and ensuring fiscal and energy security.
Without such reforms, the recovery may be short-lived, it noted.
Election-related spending and possible disruptions during the transition are expected to add further pressure on inflation and the foreign exchange market, complicating stabilisation efforts, domestic media reports cited the GED document as saying.
Overall inflation dropped to 8.17 per cent in October from 10.87 per cent a year earlier. Non-food inflation inched up to 9.13 per cent.
While bank deposits grew at nearly double-digit rates through August and September, private-sector credit growth fell to just 6.29 per cent—the lowest in at least four years and well below the central bank’s target of 7.2 per cent for fiscal 2025-26.
High lending rates, cautious bank behaviour and political uncertainty have depressed investment appetite. Meanwhile, government borrowing from commercial banks surged by 24.45 per cent in September, raising concerns about crowding out private borrowers, said the document.
Revenue collection in October this year fell short of the target by Tk 8,324 crore, achieving only 77.37 per cent of the month’s goal. All major revenue streams—import duties, domestic VAT, and income tax—underperformed.
Foreign exchange reserves improved significantly, rising from $24.35 billion in November 2024 to $32.34 billion in October 2025.
Export earnings remained volatile. Exports peaked in July at $4.77 billion, but suffered sharp declines in April and June.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
By
Reuters
Published
December 4, 2025
IKEA opened its first store in New Zealand on Thursday, entering its 64th market and marking the furniture retailer’s most distant outpost from its native Sweden. The long-awaited 34,000 square-metre (365,973 square foot) store at the Sylvia Park shopping centre in Auckland employs 500 people and is IKEA’s 505th store.
IKEA’s New Zealand expansion was announced in 2019 and comes 50 years after opening in neighbouring Australia. IKEA now operates in 64 markets around the world.
IKEA franchisee Ingka Group said the opening, which drew thousands of people, was special given New Zealand’s distance from Sweden. “It’s a real leap of faith, investment and friendship, showing we’re not just exporting a store, we’re planting roots for the long term, creating jobs, learning from local communities and tailoring our offer for Kiwi homes,” Retail Manager Tolga Oncu said in a statement.
© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, currently Group Chairman and CEO, will assume the role of Group Executive Chairman. In this capacity, he will focus on safeguarding the legacy and integrity of the Group’s three brands—ZEGNA, Thom Browne, and TOM FORD FASHION—while continuing to drive long-term value creation. He will also retain oversight of the Group’s Textile Division, the Group General Counsel’s office (including Internal Audit), and the External Relations department, which encompasses Sustainability, Investor Relations, and Corporate Communications.
Ermenegildo Zegna Group has announced a new leadership structure effective January 1, 2026.
Gildo Zegna will become group executive chairman, focusing on brand legacy and key corporate areas.
Gianluca Tagliabue will be appointed group CEO, while Edoardo and Angelo Zegna will become co-CEOs of the Zegna brand, leading brand strategy, product, and commercial performance.
Gianluca Tagliabue, currently Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Group CEO subject to shareholders’ approval. Working in close partnership with the Group Executive Chairman, Mr. Tagliabue will be responsible for shaping and executing the Group’s long-term strategy, driving business performance across all brands, and further strengthening the integration of the Group’s corporate functions. He will also oversee manufacturing operations. The CEOs of the Group’s brands will report to him. Gian Franco Santhià, currently Group Control & Chief Accounting Officer, will be appointed as Group CFO, reporting to the Group CEO.
Edoardo and Angelo Zegna, members of the fourth generation of the Zegna family, will be appointed Co-CEOs of the ZEGNA brand. They will succeed Gildo Zegna, who has held this role for over 20 years. Edoardo Zegna, currently Chief Marketing and Digital Officer of ZEGNA as well as Group Chief Sustainability Officer, will lead all aspects of brand strategy, from brand image to marketing, and, together with ZEGNA’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori, design matters, including store design. Angelo Zegna, currently CEO of ZEGNA’s EMEA region and Global Client Strategy Director, will oversee product development, merchandising, and commercial strategy, driving performance across markets and channels.
Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, commented: “I am proud and excited about today’s announcement. One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is to think ahead—to prepare for the future and empower the next generation of leadership. This belief has always been deeply rooted in our family values and is a key force behind today’s announcement.
Together with the Board, I have asked Gianluca Tagliabue to assume the role of Group CEO. Over the past decade, Gianluca has been a cornerstone of our Group, leading the company through key transformations. The Ermenegildo Zegna Group is a custodian of authenticity. Gianluca embodies this philosophy and will support the CEOs of our brands in pursuing the Group’s mission as a trusted and forward-looking guide.
Edoardo and Angelo’s complementary strengths and clear vision will make them a highly effective team to lead ZEGNA brand. They continue the family legacy and have demonstrated their business leadership over the past years. Together, they will not only carry forward the brand’s timeless heritage, but strengthen it further.
As Executive Chairman, I will stand alongside our new leadership team and all our colleagues — a curious and passionate custodian of our brands’ vision and values, as I have always been. I will also continue to oversee the Group’s textile platform — where it all began. I am looking forward to shaping our Group’s next chapter with this new leadership team.”
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)
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