British fashion, on guard in the countdown to Brexit: fears supply failures

British fashion, scared in the countdown to Brexit. The country’s retailers and suppliers have expressed concern about customs controls and new tariffs if Brexit with deal is not reached with the European Union, according to Drapers.

“It’s going to be an absolute disaster,” said a supplier to the British media. “I do not believe that any logistics companies are even in the least bit prepared,” said the same source. “What you have to ask is how much money to invest to prepare for something that may not happen,” he continued.

Operators that import from outside the European Union are less worried about Brexit

Pauline Bastidon, head of European global policy at the Freight Transport Association: “we are anticipating serious difficulties for at least a number of weeks or months, but it’s difficult to predict with great certainty.”

On the other hand, operators that import from outside the European Union were less concerned. “There may be some delayed agreements due to things coming from Europe, but I can't see that there really will be so much difference,” said a businessman.

Clyde Buntrock, CEO of the logistics company AllPort Cargo Service, said he was advising retailers to consider shipping. “Traditional Turkey shipments would come up via road and roll on/off through European gateways, which may be affected with congestion by Brexit, whereas containerised freight does not.”