http://www.just-style.comDaily apparel and textile news - from just-style.com© 2012 All content copyright just-style.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:23:24 GMTSat, 11 Feb 2012 12:23:24 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.com10021China's rise over the past two decades as the leading location for apparel sourcing has had a knock-on effect on Hong Kong's role in the global garment industry, shifting it from a manufacturer to a servicing and sourcing centre. It will take on even more diverse roles in the future, according to industry executives speaking at recent conferences in Hong Kong. Vicky Sung reports.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/hong-kongs-changing-role-in-the-apparel-industry_id113156.aspxMon, 09 Jan 2012 17:11:00 GMTRapid growth in demand in emerging markets is driving investment in nonwovens, according to a new report - with several nonwovens roll goods producers expanding to target markets in Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, North Africa, South America and Southern Africa.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/emerging-markets-drive-investment-in-nonwovens_id113462.aspxFri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMTWith much of the success of Cambodia's garment industry based on its well-publicised commitment to basic labour standards, it's perhaps not surprising that the sector finds itself under a spotlight when it comes to wider worker welfare issues. Indeed, several events that have taken place in recent weeks highlight some of the challenges faced by the local industry. http://www.just-style.com/analysis/cambodias-garment-sector-faces-continued-challenges_id113445.aspxThu, 09 Feb 2012 15:43:00 GMT2011 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 GMTThis week's highlights from just-style's research store include trends in world textile and clothing trade, prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Brazil, and an analysis of the apparel industry in Bangladesh.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/just-styles-research-roundup_id113407.aspxMon, 06 Feb 2012 12:25:00 GMTDespite a number of challenges, China's textile and clothing industry is set for further growth while its competitors suffer declines as a result of cutbacks by retail buyers, according to new research.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/chinas-textile-and-clothing-set-for-further-growth_id113401.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 16:04:00 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 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 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 GMTOpportunities the apparel industry can look forward to this year include speed to market, which favours sourcing in the western hemisphere; growth in the number and spending power of middle-lass consumers in emerging markets like China and India; and the use of technology and the internet to make sourcing a truly global activity.http://www.just-style.com/management-briefing/opportunities-for-the-apparel-industry-in-2012_id113371.aspxWed, 01 Feb 2012 14:55:00 GMTUncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the apparel industry in 2012. The economic situation in Europe and the US, swings in commodity prices, labour shortages and rising costs, especially in China, all add up to a worrying year.http://www.just-style.com/management-briefing/apparel-industry-challenges-in-2012_id113370.aspxWed, 01 Feb 2012 14:52:00 GMTDomestic market expansion, new materials development and the transfer of production bases are all priorities under the 12th five-year plan (2011 to 2015) for the domestic textile industry, released by mainland China's ministry of industry and information technology earlier this month.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/chinas-new-five-year-plan-to-guide-industry-expansion_id113362.aspxTue, 31 Jan 2012 14:27:00 GMTAfter a tumultuous three years at the helm of the world's second-largest grocery retailer, Carrefour chairman and CEO Lars Olofsson is set to be replaced by Georges Plassat.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/plassat-to-face-french-challenges-at-carrefour_id113357.aspxTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:34:00 GMTThis week, featured research from just-style includes a look at key apparel opportunities in Western Europe, prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Brazil and an analysis of luxury sector in the Asia Pacific region.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/just-styles-research-roundup_id113351.aspxMon, 30 Jan 2012 11:42:00 GMTFew incoming CEOs have put their stamp on their new company as quickly as JC Penney's Ron Johnson. His former life as head of retail at Apple is evident in the title of the new strategy for the ailing department store business: "In Praise of Fresh Air".http://www.just-style.com/analysis/spotlight-onjc-penney-fresh-air-revamp-a-bold-vision_id113324.aspxThu, 26 Jan 2012 14:19:00 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 GMTHighlights from just-style's research store this week include reports on specialist apparel retailers in China and Greece, trends in world textile and clothing trade, fibre prices, production and consumption, and an evaluation of the European footwear manufacturing sector.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/just-styles-research-roundup_id113283.aspxMon, 23 Jan 2012 13:54:00 GMTBrazil's fast growing economy and the population's buoyant spending have resulted in a large increase in textile and clothing consumption per head in the country - and a knock-on boost to production, new research shows.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/economic-growth-boosts-brazils-textile-and-clothing-industry_id113241.aspxTue, 17 Jan 2012 14:40:00 GMTAt the same time as Tesco revealed falling clothing sales over the Christmas period, the UK's largest supermarket retailer also signalled a shift away from expanding its hypermarket presence and a renews focus on its online offer.http://www.just-style.com/analysis/tesco-looks-online-as-clothing-sales-fall_id113225.aspxMon, 16 Jan 2012 14:12:00 GMT