http://www.just-style.comDaily apparel and textile comment - from just-style.com© 2012 All content copyright just-style.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:21:29 GMTSat, 11 Feb 2012 12:21:29 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.com100212011 is shaping up to be the worst year for China in a decade. Full year figures have not yet been released, but in the 10 months ending 31 October 2011, China's US market share measured both in units and by value was down over 4% compared with the same period in 2010. The question, asks David Birnbaum, is why?http://www.just-style.com/comment/perception-is-part-of-the-chinese-apparel-puzzle_id113422.aspxTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:19:00 GMTThe global clothes sourcing bandwagon is forever looking for the next hot spot, especially as nearly two decades of apparel price deflation comes to an end and worries continue to escalate about raw material and labour costs, capacity issues and the overall competitiveness of China. But is Bangladesh ready to step into the role of sourcing country of choice?http://www.just-style.com/comment/will-bangladesh-be-the-next-sourcing-hotspot_id113305.aspxTue, 24 Jan 2012 18:25:00 GMTThe biggest problem the world apparel industry faces at the start of 2012 is the ongoing combination of rising product costs and falling sales. The 'Great Apparel Slumpflation of winter 2011/2012,' as he calls it, is confusing everyone, everywhere, according to Mike Flanagan.http://www.just-style.com/comment/apparel-slumpflation-is-all-round-confusing_id113172.aspxTue, 10 Jan 2012 15:10:00 GMTPremium and value were the big winners as US retailers reported their all-important December sales results yesterday (5 January).http://www.just-style.com/comment/upscale-and-value-drive-us-retail-sales-in-december_id113147.aspxFri, 06 Jan 2012 17:15:00 GMTAmong the most-read comment articles on just-style in 2011 were China's continuing dominance of the global garment industry, rising prices, and the impact of Arab unrest.http://www.just-style.com/comment/top-ten-comment-articles-on-just-style-in-2011_id113106.aspxFri, 23 Dec 2011 14:54:00 GMTThere's been a huge amount of confusion recently about the competitiveness of Chinese textiles and apparel. While China's not offering the prices Western apparel buyers would like, it is cheaper in relative terms than it was a year ago, according to Mike Flanagan. Here he debunks a few other garment industry myths that rose to the fore in 2011.http://www.just-style.com/comment/debunking-the-garment-industry-myths-of-2011_id113096.aspxThu, 22 Dec 2011 15:17:00 GMTRetail expert Mary Portas today (13 December) set out her vision for revitalisting the UK's high streets. Here's how the industry has responded to her recommendations.http://www.just-style.com/comment/what-the-experts-say_id113016.aspxTue, 13 Dec 2011 14:50:00 GMTThe Indian government's decision to relax restrictions on foreign investment in the country's retail industry doesn't mean the end of the debate, writes Devangshu Dutta.http://www.just-style.com/comment/indias-retail-ruling-is-more-heat-than-light_id112883.aspxTue, 29 Nov 2011 15:34:00 GMTGap's plans to triple its store network in China next year are hardly surprising given the country's booming consumer market, demand for western brands and, of course, the retailer's own strategic focus on global growth. But it admits the move is not without challenges.http://www.just-style.com/comment/china-expansion-not-without-its-challenges_id112863.aspxFri, 25 Nov 2011 16:04:00 GMTThe correlation between skirt lengths and economic booms and busts - the so-called hemline index - is not only well documented but even seems to have stood the test of time. In essence, short skirts are a sign of confidence and a precursor to rising stock markets; while longer lengths signify caution and a market downturn.http://www.just-style.com/comment/heel-heights-and-economic-insights_id112830.aspxTue, 22 Nov 2011 18:39:00 GMTWith more and more own label apparel retailers eyeing growth in Asia and Latin America to make up for shortfalls in their domestic markets, Mike Flanagan asks whether a business formula that's running out of steam at home will now work abroad. Especially if it's fuelled by designers who have little connection to those foreign customers.http://www.just-style.com/comment/is-own-label-about-to-collapse_id112756.aspxTue, 15 Nov 2011 17:34:00 GMTAustralian apparel retailers are facing a perfect storm. The country is only now seeing signs of the global economic crisis, the strong Australian dollar is driving shoppers to look at international online retailers - and the world's major fast fashion retailers are plotting their entries. Petah Marian reports on how firms are faring.http://www.just-style.com/comment/australian-retailers-facing-a-perfect-storm_id112610.aspxTue, 01 Nov 2011 15:07:00 GMTIn recent months a lot of attention has been paid to efforts to understand younger consumers. In particular, mobile phones and social media are playing an increasingly important role in shaping their shopping behaviour - a trend retailers would be wise to follow.http://www.just-style.com/comment/young-shoppers-a-ripe-target-for-retailers_id112567.aspxThu, 27 Oct 2011 14:44:00 GMTWith western retailers increasingly optimistic about business in emerging markets, does it also hold true that the industry will soon "be sourcing everywhere and selling everywhere"? Not according to Mike Flanagan, who believes most developing markets will stay small for a long time, and that locally-owned retailers will be the long-term beneficiaries.http://www.just-style.com/comment/local-knowledge-is-key-to-retail-success_id112542.aspxTue, 25 Oct 2011 17:35:00 GMTFive years after taking the helm at Liz Claiborne Inc, it's hard to see exactly what William McComb has achieved. Sales are down, last year it could only muster a loss of $305.7m, and nearly one-quarter of its heyday brands have gone. But yesterday the company was confident it had finally reached a critical turning point.http://www.just-style.com/comment/has-liz-claiborne-reached-a-turning-point_id112454.aspxThu, 13 Oct 2011 18:50:00 GMTTiming is everything in life. And few people will be feeling that sentiment more this week than Sir Terry Leahy, the former chief executive of Tesco, and his successor Philip Clarke. While Leahy stepped down from the role in March to a chorus of approval for his tenure, Clarke's first six months in charge have been marked by the group's worst performance in the UK in two decades.http://www.just-style.com/comment/tescos-clarke-rolls-up-sleeves-after-shaky-start_id112383.aspxThu, 06 Oct 2011 16:25:00 GMTDid the underlying principles of apparel sourcing completely change at the beginning of this month? Two events, happening more or less simultaneously in the US and Bangladesh, may well signal a complete reversal of how sourcing works, suggests Mike Flanagan.http://www.just-style.com/comment/apparel-sourcing-rules-start-to-unravel_id112322.aspxSun, 02 Oct 2011 16:31:00 GMTIf ever there was an issue set to divide apparel brands, retailers and textile companies, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact is surely it. Described as the most significant negotiation for the US and its regional trade partners since the NAFTA agreement, the yarn forward rule of origin has emerged as one of the most divisive issues.http://www.just-style.com/comment/apparel-and-textile-industry-divided-by-tpp-pact_id112199.aspxFri, 16 Sep 2011 15:55:00 GMTFor many in the global garment supply chain the recession that 's been hanging over the West has scarcely caused a dent in most Asian countries' growth. But it now looks as if many in Asia are about to be hit by a new problem - a serious liquidity crisis among many textile and garment businesses.http://www.just-style.com/comment/is-supplier-liquidity-the-next-sourcing-challenge_id111869.aspxThu, 11 Aug 2011 16:35:00 GMTLured by India's booming consumer market and hopes that it will soon ease its retail investment rules, more and more apparel brands see the country as an opportunity to grow their businesses. But their experiences suggest it is not as easy as it might seem. Here, Devangshu Dutta discusses the shopping habits on Indian consumers and why pricing remains a critical challenge.http://www.just-style.com/comment/fashioning-change-in-indias-apparel-sector_id111825.aspxMon, 08 Aug 2011 15:06:00 GMT