Spotlight on...
With a focus on individual companies, new or emerging markets, and issues such as product safety – this column takes a behind the scenes look that sheds new light on stories hitting the headlines.
Spotlight on...Ron Johnson's tenure at JC Penney
9 April 2013
Since Ron Johnson was appointed chief executive officer of department store retailer JC Penney just 18 months ago, the company has suffered a string of losses and has been forced to make a number of U-turns as it tried to make headway on its turnaround plans.
Spotlight on...H&M sustainability report
27 March 2013
H&M is continuing to drive its sustainability agenda forward, with the release of its fifth annual sustainability report.
Spotlight on...EU-US trade deal will benefit clothing and textiles
15 February 2013
Textile and clothing industry groups on both sides of the Atlantic have welcomed the news that the EU and the US are to commence talks on the biggest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated.
Spotlight on...What's wrong with Billabong?
16 January 2013
For all of the suitors circling Billabong, the Australian surfwear brand is yet to see much action. With four bidders showing interest over the past year, Petah Marian looks at why none of the interest has so far turned into a deal.
Spotlight on...Making UK manufacturing work
2 October 2012
The feasibility of reviving the UK manufacturing sector and moving garment production back onshore has been a key topic of discussion among British brands and retailers. While niche and high-end firms like cashmere specialist Johnstons of Elgin and countrywear brand J Barbour & Sons are synonymous with UK-based production, it can also be done for high street brands on a large scale, according to industry experts.
Spotlight on...Global cotton stocks seen piling even higher
14 September 2012
The latest projections from the US government suggest global cotton stockpiles in the current season will be even higher than forecast just last month - with the expected rise putting even more downward pressure on world prices.
Spotlight on...City sees rationale in M&S takeover talk
29 August 2012
Marks & Spencer might have indicated there is nothing to announce, but reports of private equity interest in the UK's largest clothing retailer have got the industry talking.
Spotlight on...Has Chinese retail lost its lustre?
3 August 2012
China's reputation as one of the most attractive emerging consumer markets has come under pressure in recent months, with jitters around its slowing retail growth combined with a series of profit warnings from local brands. However, reports that China is loosing its lustre may be premature, as Petah Marian reports.
Spotlight on...Trinity reveals ambitions for Gieves & Hawkes
18 July 2012
Following the acquisition of UK tailoring brand Gieves & Hawkes in April this year, Hong Kong-based Trinity today (18 July) outlined its aspirations for the British heritage brand.
Spotlight on...Rising costs in China create opportunities elsewhere
18 June 2012
While China's position as the world's leading clothing manufacturing country remains unassailable, the increasing cost of doing business there means the rapid growth of its apparel industry may be on the wane. New research highlights Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Madagascar, Tunisia and Morocco as attractive sourcing alternatives.
Spotlight on...Asos tightens focus on 20-something consumers
25 May 2012
As Asos booked yet another year of stellar growth yesterday (24 May) the online fashion retailer's CEO Nick Robertson also revealed the company is tightening its focus on the 20-something consumer. He also stressed that while growth across the business is likely to slow, it has by no means matured.
Spotlight on... M&S bolsters design and merchandise teams
23 May 2012
After Marks & Spencer admitted to being caught short in women's wear during the fourth-quarter, it has moved to bolster its design and merchandise teams as well as ramping up the amount of clothing it sources on a fast-fashion basis. M&S executive director of general merchandise, Kate Bostock, spoke to journalists about its clothing strategy yesterday on the sidelines of the retailer's annual results.
Spotlight on... Collective Brands' search for steady footing
4 May 2012
Footwear firm Collective Brands has spent the last five years trying to find a stable footing following the company's formation following Payless ShoeSource's acquisition of Stride Rite in 2007. Here just-style charts some of the key themes and events in the company's tumultuous history.
Spotlight on...Wal-Mart hit by Mexican shock-waves
26 April 2012
Shares in Wal-Mart de Mexico y Centroamerica plummeted this week as allegations the company bribed officials to speed up store openings prompted many shareholders to offload the stock at a rate of knots. Meanwhile, concern that US regulators will pursue action against parent company Wal-Mart Stores for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could have some far-reaching consequences for the world's largest retailer. Katy Askew reports.
Spotlight on...Brands deny claims of continued sandblasting
3 April 2012
Diesel has slammed a report in which it is accused of continuing to source its products from Bangladeshi suppliers that use sandblasting, despite the denim brand banning the practice.
Spotlight on... What is the future for UK apparel manufacturing?
22 March 2012
UK high street retailers have been making a lot of noise of late about increasing their local sourcing. But with the domestic manufacturing sector now just a shadow of its former self, how realistic is such a move? Petah Marian reports.
Spotlight on...Esprit progresses with turnaround plans
24 February 2012
In September last year, fashion retailer Esprit revealed a bold turnaround strategy. In an update yesterday, the company revealed how these extensive plans are set to touch all areas of its business.
Spotlight on...JC Penney “fresh air” revamp a bold vision
26 January 2012
Few 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”.
Spotlight on...A better way to grow cotton
15 December 2011
Global brands and retailers are working together to source more Better Cotton for their products in the hope that creating demand down the supply chain will eventually see sustainable cotton become the norm. As the first fibres from the initiative start to make their way into clothing, Levi Strauss and Marks & Spencer joined other stakeholders to explain what they hope to achieve.
Spotlight on...Fashion firms plan for a toxic-free future
2 December 2011
What started out as a challenge back in July by environmental pressure group Greenpeace to try to persuade global fashion brands and retailers to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals from their supply chains and products has been gaining momentum ever since. So much so that the firms involved believe their efforts have the potential to "change apparel manufacturing."
