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)
In the course of a meeting with Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Ambassador DesRoches expressed appreciation for the long-standing diplomatic ties, highlighting the steady progress in bilateral relations, particularly in trade and Canadian investment in Cambodia.
The envoy underscored his country’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s successful hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit. He stressed Canada’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade and economic relations, while also reaffirming support for Cambodia’s development priorities.
Cambodian PM Hun Manet and Canadian ambassador to the country Christian DesRoches recently discussed strengthening economic ties, while advancing preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November.
The envoy stressed Canada’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation, especially in trade and economic ties, and reaffirmed support for development priorities.
He thanked Cambodia for its support in promoting Canada’s economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and advancing negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), expected to be concluded and signed soon, according to Cambodian media reports.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
CBP is developing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to streamline the submission and processing of valid refund requests for duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as authorised by court order or applicable law.
US Customs and Border Protection will launch on April 20 an electronic system that importers can use to claim tariff refunds authorised by court order or applicable law.
Phase 1 will be limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation.
Refunds will be issued within 60-90 days of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries declaration getting accepted.
Phase 1 will be limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation.
CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis.
CBP plans to implement CAPE through a phased development approach, adding more functionality in subsequent phases for more complicated scenarios, it said in a release.
Valid IEEPA refunds will generally be issued within 60-90 days following acceptance of the CAPE declaration, unless a compliance concern requires further CBP review.
However, certain scenarios, such as entries that are extended, suspended or under review, and warehouse entries, will maintain their liquidation status with validated refunds issued at liquidation.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Named in honor of Gap Inc. co-founder Doris Fisher, the program reflects her legacy of creativity, curiosity, and belief in people. It also builds on Gap Inc.’s commitment to helping bridge the opportunity gap by creating stronger connections between education and careers in the fashion industry.
Gap Inc., led by Richard Dickson, has launched The Doris Fisher Creators Program with the Fashion Institute of Technology to mentor students in fashion careers.
Starting Fall 2026, the programme will offer structured mentorship, industry exposure, and networking for select students, honouring Doris Fisher and strengthening pathways from education to careers.
“Gap Inc. is a house of iconic American brands guided by our purpose — to bridge gaps to create a better world. That includes bridging the opportunity gap. FIT embodies that same spirit, bringing education and industry together to unlock talent and expand what’s possible. We’re committed to opening doors, investing in emerging creatives, and building meaningful pathways into this industry for the next generation,” said Dickson.
The Doris Fisher Creators Program will connect FIT students with Gap Inc. leaders and creatives through a structured mentorship experience designed to provide exposure to the business of fashion, industry insights, and meaningful professional connection.
The program will launch in Fall 2026 and run through the academic year, and the inaugural cohort will include students from select disciplines, including Fashion Design, Graphic Design (Apparel), and Fabric Styling.
“Supporting emerging talent is a core expression of Gap Inc.’s purpose in action. Through initiatives such as The Doris Fisher Creators Program — alongside This Way ONward, the Rotational Management Program, and our broader internship and mentorship efforts — the company continues to bridge the opportunity gap for young people looking to start meaningful careers in fashion and retail,” added Amy Thompson, Chief People Officer at Gap Inc.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first public college to partner with Gap Inc. on this groundbreaking mentorship program. This remarkable opportunity with one of the world’s most iconic brands will support 30 talented FIT students over the next year, placing them at the intersection of innovation and impact,” said Jason S. Schupbach, president of FIT.
A benefit for the FIT Foundation, this year’s FIT Annual Gala honored Gap Inc. President & CEO Richard Dickson and was attended by distinguished guests and alumni including Ciara, Aloe Blacc, Zac Posen, Bob Fisher and others.
The FIT Foundation provided scholarships totaling more than $3 million in 2025.
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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