Latest apparel and textile analysis

Who has signed the Bangladesh safety accord - update 23 Jul 2014

Katie Smith

More than 160 companies have now signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in Dhaka, which killed more than 1,100 people last year.

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MYANMAR SNAPSHOT: Textile and apparel industry in brief 22 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia bordered by Laos, Thailand, China, Bangladesh, and India.

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IN THE MONEY: VF Corp bullish for second-half growth 22 Jul 2014

Katie Smith

After booking a double-digit increase in second-quarter profit, driven by revenue growth at its outdoor and action sport apparel segment, it's no surprise apparel giant VF Corporation is confident in its second-half outlook.

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ANALYSIS: Clothing seen as central focus for new Tesco CEO 21 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Clothing remains one of Tesco's more exportable offers and is likely to remain a central focus for the retail behemoth when incoming CEO Dave Lewis takes the reigns, an analyst has suggested.

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Indian apparel exporters discuss policy changes 18 Jul 2014

Raghavendra Verma

Indian apparel exporters have demanded a series of favourable policy decisions from the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government while welcoming foreign buyers at the 53rd India International Garment Fair, held in New Delhi this week.

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ANALYSIS: Mothercare pursues "aggressive" plan of recovery 17 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Mothercare officially welcomed boss Mark Newton-Jones into the fold today (17 July) as the retail group revealed its UK performance is beginning to stabilise.

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ANALYSIS: Wolverine evolves to exceed new consumer demands 16 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Wolverine Worldwide has said it is paramount the US clothing and footwear company evolves to meet and exceed the demands of the new consumer, after it revealed plans to close 140 stores as part of a strategic realignment.

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Nicaragua apparel makers see bleak future from TPP 14 Jul 2014

Ivan Castano Freeman

Nicaragua's apparel industry is expected to grow 8% to $1.5bn this year, fuelled by rising exports to the US. But while the numbers are encouraging, there are fears they may not last long.

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US retailers' June 2014 sales roundup 11 Jul 2014

Katie Smith

An improving employment picture, favourable weather for purchases of summer clothing, and heavy promotions fuelled better-than-expected sales for US apparel retailers in June - but analysts have warned that headwinds remain.

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SuperGroup FY trading update: What the analysts say 11 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

UK fashion retailer Supergroup, owner of the Superdry brand, yesterday (10 July) booked what it says was a strong financial performance for its full-year, which came in marginally ahead of market consensus. Analysts offered a generally optimistic view of the results.

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ANALYSIS: Vietnam soars as US apparel imports decline in May 8 Jul 2014

Leonie Barrie

Despite forecasts suggesting US imports would continue to rise in May - in part to offset the threat of possible industrial action and disruption at major West Coast container ports this summer - the latest data in fact shows apparel imports were down year-on-year. While Vietnam was one of the few countries bucking the overall decline, shipments from China and Bangladesh showed fluctuating fortunes.

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M&S Q1 trading update: What the analysts say 8 Jul 2014

Katie Smith

Marks & Spencer reported its twelfth consecutive quarterly decline in general merchandise sales this morning (8 July), despite growth in women's wear. Some of the adjectives used by analysts to describe the retailer's performance include "lacklustre" and "disappointing", while others believe the 0.1% climb in clothing sales is "encouraging" and "provides some relief".

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SOURCING: Gap's Myanmar move highlights country's potential 4 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Faced with the growing risks of producing in Bangladesh and Cambodia as well as the rising cost of countries like China and Indonesia, it is unsurprising that apparel giant Gap Inc should begin sourcing from Myanmar. Michelle Russell looks at some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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SOURCING: Compliance still a concern in Cambodian garment sector 2 Jul 2014

Katie Smith

Although there has been a slight improvement in the proper payment of wages and benefits within Cambodia's garment and footwear industry, non-compliance in areas related to worker health and safety and fainting remains "significant", a new study has found.

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RESEARCH: Brands look to capitalise on constant denim trend 2 Jul 2014

Michelle Russell

Denim jeans are a wardrobe staple for most consumers, due to their ability to offer comfort and a long lifespan compared to other items of clothing. With many purchasing, on average, one pair per year, it has become essential for brands to capitalise on this constant trend. A new report from just-style takes a closer look.

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SOURCING: Ethical standards a challenge for Burma investors 30 Jun 2014

Kitty So

Experts have warned that clothing companies from developed countries who implement international ethical standards when investing in Myanmar/Burma will probably be competing with Asian companies who ignore such guidance.

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EU countries call for more Rana Plaza compensation 30 Jun 2014

Kitty So

Governments from European countries have used a session at the OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct to call on garment companies who sourced from the Rana Plaza factory complex in Bangladesh to fund compensation to victims of the building's collapse one year ago.

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IN THE MONEY: No shortage of growth opportunities for Nike 27 Jun 2014

Michelle Russell

Sporting goods giant Nike says there are no shortage of growth opportunities for the group, and that it will continue to elevate the same level of innovation in its supply chain and product portfolio going forward.

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Central America fears textile losses of $6bn to TPP 26 Jun 2014

Ivan Castano Freeman

Central America is increasingly nervous about Vietnam's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, with some experts claiming its inclusion could bring losses of around $6bn to its bread-winning textiles and apparel sector.

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INSIGHT: Living wage a changing challenge for M&S 25 Jun 2014

Michelle Russell

UK retailer Marks & Spencer has described its efforts to ensure workers in the factories it sources from are paid a fair living wage is an "ever-moving feast". But it is making progress, as executives explained during an update to the group's Plan A sustainability initiative.