Recent Release | 17 Jan 2022
The economic and social impact of ASOS
Economic Consulting Team
Oxford Economics

ASOS is a global leader in online fashion. From almost any country in the world, you can buy more than 90,000 products from ASOS’ own collections and other third-party brands, making an important economic and social contribution in the United Kingdom and globally. This report explores the jobs, GDP, and payments to governments that ASOS supported in 2019-20, looking at ASOS’ own operations, its spending with suppliers, its payment of wages to employees, and its social investment programmes.
We find that ASOS’ overall GDP contribution in 2019-2020 was £1.8 billion, providing crucial support for the UK economy across all regions of the economy. The activity was associated with 31,660 jobs in that year, and generated UK tax revenues worth £825 million.
About the team
Our Economic Consulting team are world leaders in quantitative economic analysis, working with clients around the globe and across sectors to build models, forecast markets and evaluate interventions using state-of-the art techniques. Lead consultants on this project included:
Doug Godden
Lead Economist, Economic Footprint & Sustainability
Doug Godden
Lead Economist, Economic Footprint & Sustainability
London, United Kingdom
Since first joining Oxford Economics in 2009, Doug has delivered a large number of economic impact studies concerned with companies, sectors, and investment projects. Recent studies that he has made a major contribution to include those for the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the head teachers’ professional association (HMC), the Railway Industry Association (RIA), ASOS, Reckitt, and Motability, as well as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), European Steel Association (Eurofer), European motorcycle manufacturers’ association (ACEM), World Brewing Alliance (WBA), and several businesses and institutions across the Middle East.
He previously spent 20 years at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), culminating in positions as Head of Economic Analysis and Head of Economic and Fiscal Policy. He holds two degrees in economics—BSc(Econ) and MPhil—having studied at University College London and Brasenose College, Oxford.
Stephen Foreman
Associate Director, Economic Footprint & Sustainability
Stephen Foreman
Associate Director, Economic Footprint & Sustainability
London, United Kingdom
Stephen leads a team of economists who assess the economic and social footprint of a variety of different investments, companies, and industries at the global, national and local level. He has led engagements for corporations, financial institutions, government organisations, trade associations, charities, and universities across the world.
Stephen has also worked on Oxford’s Global Industry Service where he was responsible for forecasting the global transport sector, leading Oxford Economics’ industry research, and managing consultancy projects for industrial organisations.
Stephen joined Oxford Economics from the UK civil service, where he worked on a range of macroeconomic, fiscal, tax and welfare policy issues across HM Treasury, the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Related Services
Post
Socioeconomic Impact of DP World in Senegal
Oxford Economics Africa conducted a socioeconomic impact assessment of DP World Dakar covering 2022–2024. We assessed DP World’s operations in Senegal, quantifying its economic footprint, the activity supported through trade facilitation and evaluating social and environmental outcomes, while mapping how value is created for key stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, partners, and communities.
Find Out More
Post
How Leading CPG Companies Understand Their Economic Footprint
Blog The economic and social impact of ASOS Understanding the broader economic role of a business is becoming increasingly important for companies in the consumer goods and services sector. Decisions around new product launches, facility expansions and supply chain investments ripple far beyond the balance sheet—shaping communities, supporting suppliers and strengthening regional economies. Clearly articulating…
Find Out More
Post
From Farm to Table: The Philippine Agri-Food Economy in 2025 and the Road to Competitiveness
This report assesses the Philippines’ agri-food system, from agricultural production and food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing, to the wholesale, retail, and hospitality distribution networks that bring F&B to market. We quantify the economic contribution of the local agri-food sector, document the challenges faced by Philippine agri-businesses due to the tightening operating environment and shifting trade patterns, and outline a practical path to navigate these headwinds.
Find Out More