Consumers continued to grow spend on clothing in 2013 despite the income squeeze. Annual spending growth has remained well above inflation since 2008 as shoppers have spent liberally on buying new clothes in the last five years. Read the full report in Mintel.

According to Government figures, between 2008 and 2012 renewable energy consumption in the UK grew by 54.6%. The significant increase in consumption was mainly driven by UK and European Government policy, with rising environmental concerns among the general public and technological developments contributing to this growth. Read the full report on Keynote.

The Dispensing Chemists industry is expected to return to growth over the next five years, aided by long-term demographic and social trends. However, profit margins are not expected to recover because external competitors like supermarkets are likely to expand their reach and compete with industry operators on price. Read the full report on IBIS.

Europe’s auto manufacturing industry has avoided a major shake-out, with the result that capacity remains too high for a stagnant market. Read the full report on EIU.

In 2012, the UK market for medical equipment increased in value by 5.4% over the course of the year. Medical equipment was the larger of the two sectors by value, having a 56.4% share, with the remaining 43.6% made up of medical consumables. Read the full report on Keynote.

Improvements in the economic climate are forecast to provide a moderate boost to consumer spending and aid the fortunes of the industry. Overall, high unemployment, poor consumer confidence levels and low disposable incomes are anticipated to keep the industry’s revenue performance subdued. Read the full report on IBIS.

Burning bright: Coal prices will remain volatile, but strong demand from emerging economies will support high growth. Read the full report here.

Electricty demand is expected to expand slowly due to subdued economic growth and rising fuel prices, and Ofgem has recognised that price rises are required to help distributors fund repairs and maintenance to their networks. As a result, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the next five years, reaching £6.1 billion in 2018-19. Read the full report on IBIS.

Volume sales of beer have been declining for some time now, especially via on-trade sales outlets such as bars, pubs and restaurants. A variety of socio-economic trends — including the uncertain economic context, high taxes on alcohol and growing concerns about the health impacts of alcohol consumption — have all contributed to the general decline in the levels of beer consumption. Despite this, the beer industry is so much a part of UK culture that there is little need for concern. Read the full report here.

Weak demand from several construction markets will continue to hamper revenue in the demolition industry. Read the full report here.