After beginning the year on a positive note, the sales of Spanish textile industry dropped by 5.9 percent on the Turnover Index (ICN). In January 2013, the sales of Spanish textile industry had registered a 3.6 percent growth on the Index, the first time since October 2012. In fact, since August 2012, the turnover of Spanish textile industry has increased three times, and declined another four months. However, the 5.9 percent dip in Spanish textile sector turnover in February was lower than the decline of 6.9 percent for the overall Spanish industry on the ICN for the month, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
In the apparel segment, the turnover declined by 9.8 percent year-on-year in February 2013, signifying the fourth consecutive monthly drop. In January, the garment sector had declined by 16 percent, the worst figures since October 2011. In February 2013, new orders in Spanish textile industry too declined by six percent.