Find out what top analysts think of challenging topics in the apparel and textile industry

Comment: Understanding China's success

By: David Birnbaum | 20 May 2013

China ranks number one as the world's largest garment exporter with a 38% global market share. Bangladesh ranks number two with a 5% market share. We all acknowledge that China dominates the global garment export market. But how did it get here, and what are the upcoming challenges? asks David Birnbaum.

Bangladesh safety accord still raises many questions

By: Leonie Barrie | 15 May 2013

There is no doubt that something needed to be done to improve safety standards at factories in Bangladesh making clothes for western brands and retailers. But the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety - details of which were reported on just-style yesterday - seems to raise nearly as many questions as it answers.

What does the new Bangladesh safety accord entail?

By: Petah Marian | 14 May 2013

Yesterday (13 May) was a big day for the Bangladesh garment industry, with retailers finally signing an agreement to improve fire safety in the country's ready-made garment industry after two years of being caught in a stalemate. But what exactly does the new accord entail? Petah Marian takes a first look.

Comment: The crooks and conmen among us

By: David Birnbaum | 7 May 2013

Today, many if not most importers and retailers are making an honest effort to make Bangladesh a better place to work for customers, suppliers and workers alike. But recent events such as the collapse the Rana Plaza factory building have brought out some important truths, believes David Birnbaum.

The Flanarant: Solutions to prevent another Bangladesh tragedy

By: Mike Flanagan | 3 May 2013

Actions need to speak louder than words when it comes to tackling working conditions in the Bangladesh garment industry. And in the wake of the collapse last week of the Rana Plaza building near Dhaka, Mike Flanagan has what he describes as "a modest proposal" for identifying and delisting all unsound factories.

Viewpoint: Making clothes should never mean life or death

By: Leonie Barrie | 2 May 2013

Is Bangladesh is a place where workers are safe to make clothes sold by Western retailers and brands - and is the lure of low costs a risk worth taking? Last week's collapse of the eight-storey Rana Plaza factory complex has brought these concerns to the fore all over again.

The Flanarant: Trade deals - the devil is in the details

By: Mike Flanagan | 17 April 2013

The explosion in proposed trade agreements will probably stimulate major changes over the next decade in how apparel buyers organise their supply chains. But as Mike Flanagan explains, they never deliver what - or when - their lobbyists say they will.

Viewpoint: JC Penney turns around its turnaround plan

By: Petah Marian | 9 April 2013

Ron Johnson, the man hired just 18 months ago to transform US retailer JC Penney, has been unceremoniously ousted after his radical revamp plans failed to gain traction.

Comment: Burma in brief - a short garment industry study

By: David Birnbaum | 19 March 2013

Fresh from a visit to Burma/Myanmar, David Birnbaum is in no doubt that the local garment industry faces some serious challenges if it is to develop into a first-class garment exporting industry.

The Flanarant: Asia hit by multiple whammy

By: Mike Flanagan | 13 March 2013

New pressures on Asian manufacturers are likely to hit apparel buyers on both sides of the Atlantic, including labour issues, minimum wages, raw material prices, abscondment, pollution and financial “redlining”. Mike Flanagan looks at the likely impact.