Here you will find sources of information such as market research (statistics, trends, developments), key companies, trade magazines, newsletters, and Internet sources.
This guide will be useful to anyone starting a business within the fashion industry and also for those wanting to further their knowledge within this area.
Start-Up Information
The Cobra database contains practical fact-sheets on all aspects of starting, running and managing a small business – including information on writing business plans, marketing, company structures etc.
It also covers the practical aspects of how to start and run particular types of businesses – outlining necessary skills, regulations, licences and legislation etc. and highlights other sources of information and advice available.
Business Opportunity Profiles (BOP)
| Bridalwear Boutique | BOP200 |
| Childrenswear Retailer | BOP524 |
| Designer Fashion Boutique | BOP272 |
| Discount Clothing Shop | BOP359 |
| Dress and Suit Hire | BOP139 |
| Dressmaker | BOP107 |
| Fashion Designer | BOP003 |
| Fashion Accessories Retailer | BOP109 |
| Lingerie Retailer | BOP344 |
| Menswear Retailer | BOP441 |
| Vintage Clothing Retailer | BOP562 |
| Women’s Fashion Retailer | BOP300 |
Mini Business Opportunity Profiles (MBP)
| Ethnic Clothing Retailer | MBP406 |
| Goth Clothing Shop | MBP328 |
| Indian Fashion Retailer | MBP358 |
| Milliner | MBP279 |
| Outsize Clothing Shop | MBP236 |
Industry Snapshot (SYN)
| Fashion Retail | SYN005 |
Sector Guide (SEC)
| Fashion Retail – Coronavirus Update | SEC108 |
Market Research & Statistics
If you are planning on starting a business you will need to be aware of the latest trends, developments and opportunities within your industry which can all be found from market research.
Market research also covers market size and forecasts, consumer demographics and attitudes, the key players and products and will often include SWOT and PEST analysis showing areas of strength, weakness, opportunities etc.
- United Kingdom – Apparel Retail
- Bridal Stores in the UK
- Clothing & Footwear Wholesaling in the UK
- Clothing Manufacturing in the UK
- Clothing Retailing in the UK
- Online Women’s Clothing Retailing in the UK
- Plus-Size Women’s Clothing Stores in the UK
- Childrenswear
- Clothing Retailing
- Designer Fashion
- Fashion Online
- Fashion & Sustainability
- Fashion: Technology & Innovation
- Menswear
- Purchasing Journey for Fashion
- Summer Fashion (incl Swimwear)
- Sports Fashion
- Underwear
- Womenswear
- Apparel Accessories in the United Kingdom
- Apparel and Footwear in the United Kingdom
- Apparel and Footwear Specialist Retailers in the United Kingdom
- Childrenswear in the United Kingdom
- Designer Apparel and Footwear (Ready-To-Wear) in the United Kingdom
- Menswear in the United Kingdom
- Sportswear in the United Kingdom
- Womenswear in the United Kingdom
Local Data Online
Provides a birds-eye view of the makeup and complexity of the retail and leisure offering in a chosen location.
Review key trends over time:
- Vacancy rates
- Occupancy trends
- Retail mix
Understand demand profiles through demographic data such as:
- Employment statistics
- Average weekly earnings
- Crime rates
- Unemployment
- House prices
Also, contact details and individual reports of companies in the digital communications industry are available from our electronic sources: Market IQ.
Business News & Journals
In order to find the latest news on your topic it is always worth searching Factiva, Business Source Complete and EMIS.
You will find articles from specialist business and academic journals, as well as newspapers and magazines. You may also find market research reports and case studies. As well as profiles of leading industry figures.
You will also find articles covering recent developments, and predicting future trends in your industry.
Trade Magazines and Newsletters
Useful for gaining inside knowledge, recent trends, industry news, company profiles, reviews of new products and services. Some contain annual reviews and company contact lists. Ordered via Explore the British Library (please ask for help).
Drapers (Emap fashion)
Formed by the union of Drapers Record and Men’s Wear. Fashion business magazine covering news, trends and business advice on womenswear, childrenswear, lingerie, textiles and accessories.
Retail Week (Emap)
Newspaper for retail sector. Includes news on large chains and multiples, shopping centres, trends, sales, marketing and advertising campaigns, property, interiors, company and people profiles, sector reports, rankings, technology, services, job adverts.
Vogue (Condé Nast Publications Ltd)
A monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine covering the latest fashion and jewellery trends. Held from 1916 to date.
Internet Sources
Websites containing free sources of industry statistics, information and contacts.
Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry
ASBCI brings together the clothing industry from all sectors of the supply chain – from fibre manufacture through to garment manufacture, distribution, retail and aftercare – and provides a platform for exchange of ideas and knowledge.
British Fashion Model Agents Association
The BFMAA is the trade association of the UK model industry. Formerly the Association of Model Agents, it was founded in 1974 to protect and manage the careers of their models.
Centre for Fashion Enterprise
By way of a four-level programme offering, CFE provides expert guidance in the fields of finance, legal, manufacturing and marketing. From strategic advice on progressive business solutions to bespoke mentoring from industry leaders and key influencers.
Chartered Society of Designers
Professional body representing fashion and textile designers, offering chartered status, membership services, career advice and training.
Cockpit Arts
Cockpit Arts are a creative business incubator, providing affordable studio space and an array of support services which help designer-makers to accelerate their businesses whilst growing creatively.
Fashion Angel
Offer a range of business input and support options whether strategic, operational or preparing a business for investment, also mentoring, workshops and networking events and business funding.
Fashion United
The latest fashion news, links to fashion/apparel websites and jobs on the Fashion Career Centre.
Fashion Network
Online services for fashion professionals, present in 25 countries. Core UK activities include a fashion jobs site and a daily online newsletter with fashion business news.
FashionNet
News, features, designer biographies, ‘how to’ guides, designers sites, online shopping, selected sites, etc.
Just Style
For apparel, footwear, sportswear and textile industry professionals worldwide. Contains extensive summaries from reports by Key Note, Mintel, Business Intelligence, Retail Intelligence, Reuters Business Insight, etc. Latest news blog.
London Fashion Week
Organised by the British Fashion Council and serves as a platform for British design talent. Gives daily schedule for London Fashion Week.
The Business of Fashion: BoF
Fashion News, Analysis and Business Intelligence from the leading digital authority on the global fashion industry.
The Chartered Textile Institute
This professional institute is a registered charity set up to support and inform all sectors and disciplines in textiles, clothing and footwear. Within the global textiles, clothing and footwear industries the aim of the Institute is to facilitate learning, to recognise achievement, to reward excellence and to disseminate information.
The Design Trust
The Design Trust is an online business school for designers and makers. Their free resources include a regular newsletter, and an opportunities and business training listing.
The Fashion Law
A showcase of emerging and established talent in the fields of fashion, art and music and a source of objective fashion law and business commentary.
UK Fashion & Textile Association
UKFT guides and advises its members on all the essential aspects of running a business and supplying clothing and knitwear to the global marketplace. Provides a monthly newsletter and runs a series of seminars throughout the year.
Vogue
Has more than 25 fashion blogs covering beauty, fashion, and culture. You can also find VogueTV which features recent fashion videos from catwalks to interviews with models and designers and the latest fashion show highlights.
Please note that every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however some recently acquired items may since have been added to the collection. Please ask for help at the enquiry desk.
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