Latest apparel and textile analysis
Comprehensive coverage of the apparel and textile industry's latest, breaking news brought to you by just-style's leading network of international journalists.
Garment manufacturers eye Myanmar outsourcing
As China's garment manufacturing industry continues to lose its competitive edge as a low-cost clothing supplier through worker wage rises a...
Mexico's shoe makers blame their woes on China
Mexico's shoe industry continues to blame its woes on China - demanding the government act to quell a flood of imports which trade leaders s...
PSF 2014: No one size fits all in apparel sourcing
Even though China continues to play a pivotal role as an apparel supplier, interest in alternative sources continues to dominate industry di...
Teen retail being rocked by fast fashion headwinds
The popularity of fast fashion retailers such as Forever 21, H&M and Zara has changed the way consumers shop for value on a global basis. An...
Tesco FY results: What the analysts say 16 Apr 2014
UK retail giant Tesco this morning (16 April) proved it remains under pressure after it revealed its second consecutive annual drop in profits. Nonetheless, the beleaguered behemoth, which has seen its share price and market share struggle at near-decade lows, said clothing online continues to perform strongly. Analysts offered a mixed view of the results.
Who has signed the Bangladesh safety accord - update 14 Apr 2014
More than 150 companies have now signed the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in April last year, which killed more than 1,100 people.
US retailers' March 2014 sales roundup 11 Apr 2014
Michelle Russell and Katie Smith
US apparel retailers recorded mixed comparable store sales in March, but overall managed to beat very modest expectations resulting from the Easter holiday shift and continued cool weather.
US trade stance shifts from fast-track to smart-track 11 Apr 2014
US trade legislation that is "smart-track" rather than "fast-track," and reflects the apparel and footwear industries "as they are in this century - not as they were in the last one," is how the Senate Finance Committee's new chairman this week set out his upcoming agenda.
Is the US cotton sector losing out to synthetics? 10 Apr 2014
Cotton's share of the US clothing market has fallen following the sharp rise in cotton prices in 2012 - but the industry is fighting back.
M&S trading update: What the analysts say 10 Apr 2014
Marks & Spencer would seem to have turned a corner after recording a 1.3% increase in fourth-quarter clothing sales. But analysts believe the retailer's story remains the same - and that much more radical reforms are still needed.
Political and labour unrest to drag on Cambodia in 2014 8 Apr 2014
As if political tensions and strikes for higher wages by garment workers have not already caused enough disruption in Cambodia, new research suggests they will continue to weigh on the country's growth in 2014.
Stark contrast in US imports from China and Vietnam 7 Apr 2014
February is historically the slowest month of the year when it comes to US apparel imports, so it's not surprising that volumes were down. But the fortunes of the two biggest suppliers tell a very different story, with shipments from China seeing a double-digit decline and those from Vietnam continuing to rise.
US apparel firms failing to exploit free trade deals 3 Apr 2014
Are free trade agreements that allow the clothing and textile industries to import products free of duties, or at sharply reduced rates, really worth the effort involved in their negotiation? Maybe not always, or at least not in the US, say some experts.
South Africa curbs textile and garment job losses 3 Apr 2014
The decline of South Africa's beleaguered garment and textile industry is bottoming out, and the sector has stemmed job losses by 66% between 2010 and 2013, industry experts say.
Analysis: Asos targets global opportunities with supply chain changes 2 Apr 2014
Online fashion retailer Asos believes the next leg of its investment requires the group to flex its supply chain to access a further GBP1bn (US$1.66bn) of international sales.
Asos H1 trading update: What the analysts say 2 Apr 2014
Online fashion retailer Asos this morning (2 April) revealed a decline in first-half earnings but stronger sales growth. Pre-tax profit and gross margin were in line with analyst expectations, who gave a positive view of today's results.
Analysis: Progress needed on supply chain living wage 1 Apr 2014
A new report suggests retailers are still failing workers in their supply chains by not paying a living wage. The survey, which aims to provide greater transparency for consumers on the living wage issue, concludes that while some work has been done, much more progress is needed. just-style takes a closer look.
Concerns grow over fibre sourcing from forests 1 Apr 2014
Ahead of an expected explosion in demand for wood pulp-based fibres such as rayon and viscose, environmental groups are calling on apparel and textile firms to ensure they do not come from endangered forests. H&M and Inditex are the latest to update their sourcing commitments.
Analysis: Product investment key to Lululemon Athletica growth 31 Mar 2014
Investment is the name of the game. Well, that's the main focus for Canadian yoga wear brand Lululemon Athletica in the year ahead. The company has revealed plans to step up spending to support its product development platform, and accelerate its international expansion efforts.
Price hikes continue to loom over leather industry 31 Mar 2014
An ongoing surge in hide and leather prices as global demand continues to outstrip supply is putting pressure on clothing, footwear and accessories brands. And the industry is being warned there is no end in sight.
Analysis: PVH outlines Calvin Klein plan of attack 27 Mar 2014
Apparel giant PVH Corp has outlined a six-pronged plan for its Calvin Klein business that it hopes will improve the brand's performance, which continues to be under pressure in Europe.
Analysis: Is the UK reshoring tide beginning to turn? 27 Mar 2014
There has been a lot of talk about reshoring as one of the emerging manufacturing trends of the future, but as yet little robust evidence has been produced on the scale of any such shift, especially when it comes to clothing and textiles. But new research has attempted to put some figures onto the likely impact on jobs and output.
Apparel brands have vital role to play in Cambodia crisis 26 Mar 2014
Western brands and retailers are “deeply implicated” in the current unrest gripping the Cambodian apparel sector – but they can also be part of the solution, says a new report.
Analysis: Is Africa the next frontier in apparel sourcing? 25 Mar 2014
As manufacturing costs continue to rise in China and across Asia, the search is on for alternative apparel sourcing destinations. Many companies are moving elsewhere in the region, but an increasing number want to explore and invest in entirely new countries. And the African continent is being described as "the next frontier."
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Insights
- PSF 2014: No one size fits all in apparel sourcing
- Teen retail being rocked by fast fashion headwinds
- PSF 2014: Shifting focus from cost to consumer
- Bangladesh industry development moving backwards
- US retailers' March 2014 sales roundup
News
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