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.Wed, 16 May 2012 22:15:15 GMTWed, 16 May 2012 22:15:15 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.com10021Higher costs, "challenging" trends in Europe, and falling same-store sales in the US have combined to push teen-apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co to a sharp drop in first quarter earnings.http://www.just-style.com/news/abercrombie-fitch-q1-tumbles-on-costs-and-comps_id114385.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 15:15:00 GMTChina's textile and garment export growth in the first quarter of this year has slowed from the double-digit figures posted in 2011 - but plans are also afoot to double textile output by 2020.http://www.just-style.com/news/plans-to-lift-textile-output-as-export-growth-slows_id114389.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 18:17:00 GMTMauritius-based apparel major Ciel Textiles has seen its nine-month profit more than treble thanks to improved efficiency and aggressive cost cutting.http://www.just-style.com/news/cost-cuts-help-ciel-textiles-treble-9-month-profit_id114384.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 14:41:00 GMTThe transformation of retailer JC Penney has hit early trouble after the company reported big losses for the first quarter, impacted by double-digit sales and comps declines.http://www.just-style.com/news/jc-penney-slides-to-q1-loss-in-tough-quarter_id114380.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 12:57:00 GMTGlobal luxury goods sales will rise by 6-7% this year to break through the EUR200bn barrier, according to a new study.http://www.just-style.com/news/luxury-market-to-exceed-eur200bn-in-2012_id114383.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 14:39:00 GMTClothing business IC Companys suffered expected revenue and earnings declines in the third quarter, and warned that "volatile" market conditions were poised to continue in the fourth quarter.http://www.just-style.com/news/ic-companys-q3-profit-halved-on-revenue-fall_id114382.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 14:11:00 GMTItalian fashion business Benetton saw its first quarter net profit nearly halved as revenues were cut by 5.5% and margins were hit by higher raw materials costs.http://www.just-style.com/news/benetton-q1-profit-cut-as-sales-suffer_id114381.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 13:13:00 GMTA new textiles and garments testing facility has been set up in Indonesia in the latest of a series of partnerships between testing companies SGS and Boken.http://www.just-style.com/news/new-testing-facility-from-sgs-and-boken_id114379.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 12:35:00 GMTSales at US clothing stores softened in April, making this one of the weakest sectors during the month - after unseasonably warm weather, an earlier Easter holiday and rising consumer confidence combined to bring sales forward to February and March.http://www.just-style.com/news/sales-at-clothing-stores-slow-in-april_id114377.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 11:40:00 GMTFirst-quarter net losses at apparel maker Hampshire Group remained flat with last year, despite posting a healthy sales boost from its acquisition of Honduras-based knitted top manufacturer Rio Garment.http://www.just-style.com/news/hampshire-q1-losses-flat-despite-sales-growth_id114373.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 17:03:00 GMTUS women's wear retailer Talbots Inc has extended discussions with Sycamore Partners, while it considers a takeover bid from the private equity firm.http://www.just-style.com/news/talbots-and-sycamore-partners-extend-takeover-talks_id114376.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 09:33:00 GMTUnlimited Sports Group (USG), one of the leading sports retailers in the Benelux region, has set up an international unit based in the UK to spearhead its global growth. http://www.just-style.com/news/usg-widens-horizons-with-new-international-unit_id114388.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 17:09:00 GMTMaternity wear retailer Destination Maternity Corporation has opened its first freestanding Destination Maternity store in India as part of an agreement with its franchise partner Mahindra Retail.http://www.just-style.com/news/destination-maternity-opens-first-freestanding-store_id114386.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 15:24:00 GMTFreight firm UPS International has expanded its Express air freight service into Nicaragua and Honduras to take advantage of the countries' expansion into global markets and recent trends in near-sourcing.http://www.just-style.com/news/ups-adds-express-freight-to-nicaragua-and-honduras_id114378.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 12:29:00 GMTClothing firm Bonded Apparel has recalled some 720 boys' hooded jackets because the drawstring through the hood pose a strangulation hazard to children.http://www.just-style.com/news/bonded-apparel-recalls-720-boys-jackets_id114375.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 17:34:00 GMTOutfits created by Ralph Lauren for the Team USA Collection at this year's Olympic Games have been designed using the FastFit360 cloud-based tool that allows samples to be viewed and style and fit changes communicated visually over the internet.http://www.just-style.com/news/ralph-lauren-olympics-line-used-cloud-design-tool_id114387.aspxWed, 16 May 2012 16:42:00 GMTUS imports of apparel and textiles were up by 1.7% by volume in March on a year ago, according to the Department of Commerce's Office of Textiles and Apparel.http://www.just-style.com/news/textile-and-apparel-imports-up-in-march_id114367.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 14:03:00 GMTThe US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement comes into force today (15 May) - but, as in so many cases, the disruptive nature of US trade policies means all is not quite what it seems. Here Steve Lamar, executive vice president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), cautions the US apparel and footwear industry about the immediate rule changes impacting the supply chain.http://www.just-style.com/comment/the-us-colombia-trade-pact-two-step_id114374.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 17:19:00 GMTA World Bank assessment has concluded the abolition of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) multi-fibre agreement (MFA) on textile trade quotas failed to deliver wealth to Cambodian and Sri Lankan textile and clothing workers.http://www.just-style.com/news/textile-workers-hurt-by-lifting-of-quotas_id114359.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 11:37:00 GMTDutch sportswear retailers Aktiesport and Scapino are teaming up to broaden the reach of their products after research showed new ideas are needed to make bricks-and-mortar stores more attractive to online shoppers.http://www.just-style.com/news/scapino-and-aktiesport-in-strategic-tie-up_id114372.aspxTue, 15 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT