In the first half of 2014, the European T&C production was 2.8% higher than in the same period of the previous year. The man-made fibres and textiles’ output rose by respectively +4.5% and +3.8% during the period, outpacing the overall manufacturing industry growth. It is worth mentioning that the textiles’ quarterly output increased for the fifth consecutive time. Finally, the evolution rate in the clothing industry recorded a modest activity growth over the period (+1.4%).
T&C turnover rose significantly (+3.2%) over the first half of 2014, outpacing the total manufacturing growth rate. The turnover increase was higher in the textile industry (+4%) than in the clothing sector (+2.3%) despite a strong improvement during the second quarter.
The retail sales evolution in the T&C industry was up 3% over the first half of 2014, thanks to EU consumption and activities’ revival. Finland, Denmark, Bulgaria and Portugal were the only Member States which registered decreasing sales.
Employment in the T&C sector recorded a further decline of -2.3% over the first half of the year despite a progressive softening in employment decline. The labour market conditions remained challenging in particular in the EU15 countries.
Data Source: Eurostat NACE Rev.2