Eurostat data shows the European textile and clothing manufacturing went through a difficult year in 2019, despite good retail sales and export performances. This trend will worsen in 2020 due to the Coronavirus outbreak. An ongoing Euratex poll with members show 80 per cent companies are already laying off workers; more than half of them expect a drop in sales and production by over 50 per cent.

The outlook for 2020 is expected to worsen due to the virus’ outbreak, as in March 2020 industry confidence fell dramatically. Euratex is conducting a survey among European companies: preliminary results indicate that more than half of the companies expect a drop in sales and production by more than 50 per cent. Moreover, almost 9 out of 10 companies face serious constraints on their financial situation and 80 per cent of companies is temporarily laying off workers. 1 out of 4 is considering closing down the company.