http://www.just-style.comDaily apparel and textile news and comment - from just-style.com© 2012 All content copyright just-style.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:41:46 GMTSat, 04 Feb 2012 06:41:46 GMTjust-style.com - RSS feedjust-style.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss20http://www.just-style.com/images/small_logo_style.gifhttp://www.just-style.com10021Groups representing Cambodian garment workers are holding a "people's tribunal" next week to investigate pay and conditions at factories making clothes for brands including Adidas, Puma, H&M and Gap.http://www.just-style.com/news/tribunal-to-probe-garment-pay-and-conditions_id113396.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:49:00 GMTPost-holiday discounts helped many US retailers lift their sales in January, according to monthly figures released yesterday (2 February), but overall results were mixed as many consumers shopped cautiously amid the struggling economy.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/cautious-us-consumers-weigh-on-january-retail-sales_id113404.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:12:00 GMTThe International Cotton Advisory Board (ICAC) has cut global demand estimates for the fibre, signalling that slower global economic growth and ample supplies could place downward pressure on prices.http://www.just-style.com/news/economic-slowdown-could-weigh-on-cotton-prices_id113395.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 13:20:00 GMTEdizione Srl, the investment firm controlled by the Benetton family, has made a EUR276.6m (US$364.4m) bid to buy all the shares it doesn't already own in Benetton Group SpA and delist the clothing company.http://www.just-style.com/news/benetton-family-makes-eur2766m-takeover-bid_id113391.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:44:00 GMTAmong the most-read stories on just-style this week was a report on China's 12th five-year plan for the domestic textile industry, a temporary tariff waiver on products imported into the EU from Pakistan - and our annual management briefing on apparel industry issues to watch in the year ahead.http://www.just-style.com/news/top-stories-on-just-style-this-week_id113405.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:37:00 GMTThe designer wear business in India is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40%, hitting INR110bn by 2020, according to a leading industry body.http://www.just-style.com/news/designer-wear-set-for-boom_id113403.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 16:33:00 GMTDouble-digit sales growth helped outdoor apparel business Columbia Sportswear to record a 40% surge in net profit in 2011 - but the company expects slower growth in 2012.http://www.just-style.com/news/columbia-sportswear-q4-profit-soars-on-sales-boost_id113402.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMTWomen's apparel retailer Bebe Stores posted an increased net profit for the second quarter, boosted by a double-digit net sales increase and a comparable store sales rise of 9.6%.http://www.just-style.com/news/bebe-stores-q2-profit-boosted-by-sales-hike_id113400.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:59:00 GMTLaCrosse Footwear blamed falling sales to the military for double-digit revenue declines in the fourth quarter of 2011, which led to full-year net profit being more than halved.http://www.just-style.com/news/lacrosse-footwear-fy-profit-cut-after-poor-q4_id113399.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:44:00 GMTStretchline Holdings, the specialist supplier of narrow fabrics and knitted elastics used in lingerie and activewear, has opened its latest joint venture in Honduras to help speed supply times to retailers and brands in the US and Canada.http://www.just-style.com/news/stretchline-sets-up-central-america-production_id113398.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:37:00 GMTDouble-digit growth for its fashion and leather goods brands helped luxury powerhouse LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton to record full-year net profits of EUR5.26bn in 2011.http://www.just-style.com/news/lvmh-fy-profit-breaks-eur5bn-barrier_id113397.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:00 GMTTedford Marlow, former president of the Urban Outfitters brand, is rejoining the retailer as chief executive officer.http://www.just-style.com/news/marlow-rejoins-urban-outfitters-brand-as-ceo_id113393.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 12:13:00 GMTUS department store retailer Macy's has named Alberta Ferretti as the next fashion designer to take part in the designer capsule collection series for the retailer's contemporary 'Impulse' department.http://www.just-style.com/news/macys-taps-alberta-ferretti-for-next-designer-line_id113392.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:52:00 GMTDiscount department store retailer Target Corporation has settled a dispute over the use of its name and brand in Canada, paving the way for its move into the country next year.http://www.just-style.com/news/target-settles-trademark-dispute-with-local-retailer_id113390.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:00 GMTWomen's apparel retailer Coldwater Creek Inc has promoted Jim Bell to the newly created position position of executive vice president and chief operating officer.http://www.just-style.com/news/coldwater-creek-promotes-bell-to-chief-operating-officer_id113394.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 12:22:00 GMTThe World Trade Organization (WTO) has approved a request from the European Union (EU) temporarily lift duties on 75 products from Pakistan - the majority of which are textiles, apparel, and footwear.http://www.just-style.com/news/wto-approves-tariff-waiver-for-pakistan_id113383.aspxThu, 02 Feb 2012 13:53:00 GMTThe following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe retailers' January 2012 sales results.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/retailers-january-2012-sales-roundup_id113388.aspxThu, 02 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMTGenerally, 2012 is seen as being another challenging business year for the apparel industry. Uncertainties include the performance of the global economy, the European debt crisis, US consumer sentiment, and producer price inflation. Being able to react quickly to sourcing challenges, get more efficient in production, and reduce cycle times will help firms react to these volatile markets.http://www.just-style.com/management-briefing/other-issues-to-watch-in-the-year-ahead_id113375.aspxWed, 01 Feb 2012 15:22:00 GMTA Lejaby production plant, which was set to close under the terms of a takeover bid for the lingerie group accepted by a commercial court last month, has been acquired by Sofama, a company which supplies handbags to LVMH subsidiary Louis Vuitton.http://www.just-style.com/news/lvmh-supplier-to-acquire-lejaby-plant_id113385.aspxThu, 02 Feb 2012 14:18:00 GMTWhat should apparel firms have learnt from the upheaval of the past couple of years - and what should they be doing now if they want to remain competitive into the future? Buyers and manufacturers need to build a deeper, long-term relationship our respondents said, as well as focusing on a sourcing portfolio that balances costs and risks.http://www.just-style.com/management-briefing/lessons-learnt-from-the-past-for-the-future_id113372.aspxWed, 01 Feb 2012 14:58:00 GMT