Latest news with #TheAccessGroup
Fashion Network
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK fashion manufacturers sales surged in Q1, but profits fell
UK fashion manufacturers enjoyed a 'remarkable' sales performance in the opening quarter of 2025 'flying in the face of low business confidence among SMEs'. New figures show the average small-to-medium UK clothing and fashion manufacturer made 68% more sales revenue in Q1 than Q4 2024, and 171% more year-on-year, according to The Access Group. The findings, based on direct data from over 600 UK firms and processed by Access's Unleashed software, shows that across all of the 12 manufacturing categories analysed, sales were up 30% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024 – and 13% year-on-year. However Unleashed's data also showed Q1 profitability dropped compared to last year. Gross Margin Return on Inventory (GMROI) for the average clothing manufacturer declined 53% against Q4 and by 36% year-on-year to £4.14 return for every pound spent on buying stock. Lead times fell to 19 days on average, which offers some reassurances, noting 'faster delivery times allow businesses to reorder in smaller quantities, which is a more cost-efficient way to generate sales that improves margins'. Joe Llewellyn, GM of ERP Small Business at The Access Group, said: 'Unusual business conditions of the first three months of the year had generally played out well for the country's smaller producers, as had falling bank rates. 'Anecdotally, what we're hearing from some of our customers is that Q1 brought welcome windfalls. Some tariff-affected international customers have turned to UK firms to do business, while others raced to order more before tariff pauses came off. That's delivered a shot in the arm for some firms, but more importantly we're hearing that steadily falling bank rates are starting to stimulate the economy, which obviously is very welcome to UK manufacturers who've posted a really strong start to the year.'
Fashion Network
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK fashion manufacturers sales surged in Q1, but profits fell
UK fashion manufacturers enjoyed a 'remarkable' sales performance in the opening quarter of 2025 'flying in the face of low business confidence among SMEs'. New figures show the average small-to-medium UK clothing and fashion manufacturer made 68% more sales revenue in Q1 than Q4 2024, and 171% more year-on-year, according to The Access Group. The findings, based on direct data from over 600 UK firms and processed by Access's Unleashed software, shows that across all of the 12 manufacturing categories analysed, sales were up 30% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024 – and 13% year-on-year. However Unleashed's data also showed Q1 profitability dropped compared to last year. Gross Margin Return on Inventory (GMROI) for the average clothing manufacturer declined 53% against Q4 and by 36% year-on-year to £4.14 return for every pound spent on buying stock. Lead times fell to 19 days on average, which offers some reassurances, noting 'faster delivery times allow businesses to reorder in smaller quantities, which is a more cost-efficient way to generate sales that improves margins'. Joe Llewellyn, GM of ERP Small Business at The Access Group, said: 'Unusual business conditions of the first three months of the year had generally played out well for the country's smaller producers, as had falling bank rates. 'Anecdotally, what we're hearing from some of our customers is that Q1 brought welcome windfalls. Some tariff-affected international customers have turned to UK firms to do business, while others raced to order more before tariff pauses came off. That's delivered a shot in the arm for some firms, but more importantly we're hearing that steadily falling bank rates are starting to stimulate the economy, which obviously is very welcome to UK manufacturers who've posted a really strong start to the year.'
National Business Review
06-06-2025
- Business
- National Business Review
Geo sale to Access Group nets just enough for Pioneer creditor
Geo Limited is being sold out of receivership to The Access Group for approximately $4 million, after its receiver disclosed half the price had been paid at settlement in February and two more tranches are due in six and 12 months' time. The up-front payment of $1,957,861 by the UK-based acquirer
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK fashion suppliers face tough 2025 as Q4 sales dip, lead times rise
The results of Unleashed's Manufacturing Health Index report for Q4 2024 has come in against a backdrop of market volatility and changes to international tariffs that have led to uncertainty among those responsible for making strategic decisions. The report is released on a quarterly basis and aggregates data concerning purchases, sales, and inventory fluctuations among small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises throughout the UK. Manufacturing performance data in the fashion industry shows that small to mid-sized companies saw their average sales revenue decline 32.78% to £352,000 ($449,000) in Q4 2024 from nearly £524,000 in the third quarter of 2024. Concurrently, the number of purchase orders declined by half, dropping 49.49% from 790 in Q3 of 2024 to 399 in Q4. Lead times increased marginally on a quarterly basis from 23 days to 25 but declined 34.2% from 38 days in the same period the prior fiscal. The analysis also showed that sales revenues had fallen by nearly 3% compared to the same timeframe in the prior year with purchase orders decreasing by more than 8%. This data emerged alongside other statistics showing a decline in confidence among retailers and wholesalers to a two-year low, influenced by escalating taxes and stagnant sales growth. Unleashed examined 12 manufacturing categories for its latest Manufacturing Health Index Report. The study revealed a sector-wide decline in average sales revenue of over 40% in the last quarter, from £468,215 to £275,953. The frequency of purchase orders also saw a nearly halved rate, falling from 322 to 167. When compared year-over-year, sales revenues had diminished by roughly 22%, and purchase orders by close to 18%. Unleashed parent company The Access Group small business ERP GM Joe Llewellyn said: 'Low consumer confidence and newly-volatile international trading conditions seem to be taking their toll on manufacturers across almost every category we looked at – which made it a tough start to the year for many businesses. 'While many will be rightly concerned about this drop-off, it's worth bearing in mind that Q3 2024 was a bumper quarter, when we saw both sales revenue and POs surge. That suggests performance is returning to more normal levels, albeit a little more subdued than we'd all like to see. 'The figures also suggest that manufacturers are keeping a tight rein on their inventory, with excess stock significantly down, and a corresponding rise in its profitability (GMROI). While market conditions have impacted sales and orders, they're controlling what they can, enabling them to weather the storm and make the most of the recovery. 'Finally, it's reassuring that total sales for the year were up compared to 2023, showing an overall more positive direction of travel.' "UK fashion suppliers face tough 2025 as Q4 sales dip, lead times rise" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Broadcast Pro
25-02-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Entertainment industry leads in seamless payment experiences, study finds
The research used TrustPilot data from 160 businesses across 16 sectors - to reveal which industries are leading the way and which are leaving customers frustrated at checkout. Recent research has revealed that businesses in the entertainment industry are at the forefront of delivering seamless payment experiences, outperforming other sectors that struggle with significant gaps affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty. The Payment Experience Index, developed by payment solutions provider Access PaySuite, a division of The Access Group, analysed 160 businesses across 16 industries using TrustPilot data. By calculating a Trust Discrepancy Score for each sector, the study identified which industries are excelling and which are falling short in meeting consumer expectations. The findings highlighted the entertainment sector as the top performer, with the smallest Trust Discrepancy Score of 0.8—setting a benchmark for other industries to follow. As consumer demand for convenience, speed and reliability continues to grow, entertainment businesses—particularly subscription-based services like streaming platforms—have prioritised robust payment solutions to ensure hassle-free transactions. This focus not only improves customer satisfaction but also fosters stronger retention and long-term loyalty. Commenting on the findings, Dave Carr, transformation director at Access PaySuite, said: 'In 2025, the sectors leading in payment experiences will be those that prioritise seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions. Our Payment Experience Index demonstrates that businesses embracing innovation in payment technologies are not only meeting customer expectations but redefining them. This is about more than just enabling transactions – it's about creating a smooth, transparent, and reliable experience that builds trust and fosters loyalty. 'Industries that adapt to evolving consumer demands for flexibility, personalisation, and speed are positioning themselves as leaders in their fields. Conversely, those that fail to modernise their payment systems risk eroding customer satisfaction and falling behind competitors. At Access PaySuite, we believe that seamless payment experiences are the cornerstone of exceptional customer journeys, and we're committed to helping businesses unlock their full potential through smarter, more intuitive payment solutions.'
