Latest apparel and textile analysis

Some 200 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 in 2013.

China cotton: implications and opportunities 26 Feb 2015

Changes taking place in China’s cotton sector offer both implications and opportunities for brands and retailers, according to a new report ‘China’s Cotton: A Growing Market Opportunity’. Here, CottonConnect, the report’s author, sets out some of the issues to watch at both the farm and strategic levels.

SOURCING: Low labour cost countries linked to highest risks 25 Feb 2015

Businesses with supply chains and operations in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Cambodia are benefiting from the world’s lowest labour costs – but may also be exposed to the highest risks.

UK garment reshoring hub hit by sweatshop claims 20 Feb 2015

The city at the centre of much of the UK’s textile and garment reshoring efforts has been criticised in a new report that found “widespread and severe violations of work and employment laws,” at its factories.

Who's winning in UK apparel shopping switch? 20 Feb 2015

Primark may be reaching saturation point in the UK market, making it more difficult to hold and retain customers, analysts believe. But while price-savvy H&M has picked up some shoppers, the value retailer also appears to have gained from the likes of Next and M&S.

New fibre and fabric innovations for outdoor wear 20 Feb 2015

New eco-friendly fibre and fabric concepts that not only offer more sustainable choices for sportswear and outdoor apparel, but in many cases give improved functionality too, were on show at this month’s ISPO Münich trade fair. The natural performance of wool, plant-based laminates, ultra lightweight insulation and advanced temperature regulation were among the highlights.

Global supply chain leverage helps VF Corp boost margin 16 Feb 2015

Apparel and footwear giant VF Corporation has said that reducing costs in its global supply chain has given it a competitive advantage as it continues to look for gross margin expansion in 2015.

Pakistan's new textile policy aims to double exports 16 Feb 2015

Ahmed Abdullah

Pakistan’s second Textile Policy aims to double the country’s textile and clothing exports to US$26bn in the next five years as it seeks to reap full benefits of the EU GSP+ scheme.

IN THE MONEY: Levi Strauss warns of port delays on supply chain 13 Feb 2015

Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co has said the “volatile” and “unpredictable” delays occurring on the West Coast ports could adversely affect its supply chain and product availability if it continues.

New supply chain options key amid US port problems 12 Feb 2015

As the threat of a US West Coast port shutdown looms, analysts already estimate the ongoing disruption could add an eye-watering US$36.9bn to costs over the next 24 months. As the congestion continues to cause headwinds for apparel businesses, retailers are being told they must investigate new supply chain options, including more near- and on-shoring.

Reacting to change in the sportswear supply chain 12 Feb 2015

Changes taking place in global supply and demand are putting pressure on the apparel industry to rethink its supply chain, according to speakers at last week’s World Sports Forum. Sourcing trends, updates on emerging markets, and demographic changes likely to impact the sector in coming decades were all discussed.

TPP impact on Vietnam, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka 12 Feb 2015

Richard Woodard

Vietnam’s apparel sector is set to receive a major boost from the signing of a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, although the extent and immediacy of any benefits will depend on the fine print of the agreement. But the negative effects on other apparel manufacturing countries could reverberate well beyond Asia.

Internet pureplays winning in UK apparel space 12 Feb 2015

Internet pureplays like Asos are gaining the most share in the UK apparel market year-on-year, new data shows, while general stores are losing out.

UK textile and clothing industry poised for growth? 10 Feb 2015

Richard Woodard

The UK textile and clothing industry is worth nearly GBP9bn (US$13.71bn) to the country’s economy and is experiencing year-on-year export and domestic growth, according to a new report.

UPDATE: US apparel retailers' January 2015 sales roundup 10 Feb 2015

US apparel retailers got off to a good start in January, with the majority posting comparable store sales gains, helped by post holiday clearance sales and stronger comparisons with last year, when severe weather hampered results.

An interactive insight into outdoor consumers 10 Feb 2015

Debra Cobb

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has launched OIA ConsumerVue, an online and interactive research tool on the OIA website that will provide the organisation’s members with valuable insights into outdoor consumers’ desires, attitudes, and behaviours - and aid them in utilising those learnings to create business opportunities.

Who has pledged to ban the use of angora? 9 Feb 2015

More than 70 brands and retailers have committed to end the use of angora in their future clothing and accessories collections, following ongoing pressure from animal rights group PETA.

Bangladesh bounces back in US apparel import rise 6 Feb 2015

Despite continued disruption at US West Coast ports, apparel imports into the country bounced back in December, with Bangladesh seeing its first rise since January last year. Four of the top-ten supplier countries saw strong double-digit growth, including Bangladesh, with China and Vietnam remaining top of the table.

Low pricing to sustain growth for Primark in 2015 6 Feb 2015

Value fashion giant Primark will use its low selling price to help sustain significant growth in 2015, increasing sales through further expansion into continental Europe and the Northeast US, analysts believe.

Transparency mixed in Uzbek cotton supply chain 5 Feb 2015