Apparel and textile industry hot issues
Comprehensive coverage of the apparel and textile industry's hottest issues through a compilation of news, analysis and comment.
Is garment production coming home?
14 May 2012
Suggestions that reshoring, or bringing back jobs lost to China, would benefit the Western apparel industry make no economic sense - but there is still a need for businesses in developed countries to provide a range of sewing services.
Speaking with style: Henry Tan, CEO, Luen Thai Holdings
9 May 2012
Luen Thai Holdings is Hong Kong's largest listed garment firm, with 34,000 employees, revenues of around US$1bn and a flagship business that produces over 80m garments a year. Here CEO Henry Tan talks to just-style managing editor Leonie Barrie calls about the need for industry-wide collaboration, the push into new production bases and the changing role of China.
US apparel retailers see slowdown in April sales
8 May 2012
Many US apparel retailers fell short of sales expectations last month as economic concerns coupled with rising gas prices caused a slowdown. However, it was hardly surprising after a warm March and an early Easter contributed to retailers to post higher same-store sales.
TPP trade talks need a Plan B for garments
3 May 2012
The multi-lateral Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks between the US and eight Pacific Rim nations continue to divide US textile makers, apparel retailers and importers. But could they provide a perfect opportunity to change the way US garment-related free trade agreements are negotiated?
M&S trying to change the way consumers buy clothes
30 April 2012
The UK's biggest clothing retailer Marks & Spencer hopes to recycle up to 350 million garments a year under a new scheme that calls on its customers to donate one item of clothing every time they buy another.
Aquascutum hit by losses, falling into administration
19 April 2012
UK luxury brand Aquascutum collapsed into administration this week. Losses continued to be incurred and the challenging conditions in the UK meant the brand could not change its fortunes. The company plans to close the company's Corby manufacturing site, making 115 staff redundant.
Marks & Spencer caught out by clothing shortages
17 April 2012
Marks and Spencer saw fourth-quarter clothing sales fall after admitting to falling short of stock in its best selling women's wear lines. It also said that it was affected by a cooler than expected February and a shift to its more value-driven lines.
Warmer weather boosts retail sales
11 April 2012
Warmer weather, an earlier Easter, new spring fashions have contributed to a number of US apparel retailers posting higher sales for March. Gap, Cato and Nordstrom were among some of the companies to benefit.
Prime Source Forum 2012
3 April 2012
China, rising labour costs, labour shortages, new sourcing locations, collaboration across the supply chain, the globalisation of retail, social networking, and efforts to train and promote talent in the industry were among issues tackled at this year's Prime Source Forum 2012 in Hong Kong.
Local sourcing set for a resurgence?
18 March 2012
Rising costs and pressure on margins are likely to force increasing number of retailers to rethink their pricing and sourcing strategies this year – with several hinting that British manufacturing could be poised for a comeback.
India's cotton export ban
7 March 2012
The Indian government this week imposed a ban on all cotton exports from the country, in a move that is likely to put pressure on global supplies and prices.
Weather warms US retail sales in February
5 March 2012
Warm weather might have weighed on winter sales of coats, boots and other cold climate basics at the start of the season, but spring appears to have sprung early for many US apparel retailers in February. Indeed, new figures show sales trended upwards last month as the sunshine enticed shoppers out in search of new merchandise and clearance bargains.
Gap investing in product to win back customers
27 February 2012
Despite booking a 40% drop in fourth quarter profit amid higher costs, promotions and lower sales, US specialty retailer Gap Inc claims it is moving in the right direction when it comes to improving its revenues and earnings in the year ahead.
Rising costs weigh on retailers
22 February 2012
Even though raw material costs have been falling, the ramifications continue to weigh on retailers. Combined with unusually warm weather in both the US and in Europe, and a highly aggressive promotional environment, recent results point to continuing pressures in the months ahead.
Bangladesh's garment sales not all they might seem
15 February 2012
It's a widely held belief that Bangladesh is going to be the biggest beneficiary of any move of garment sourcing out of China. But not only is the volume of Bangladeshi exports slowing, prices are also inflating - and a serious shortage of manufacturing capacity means the country is struggling to cope with extra demand.
Cambodia's garment sector faces continued challenges
9 February 2012
With much of the success of Cambodia's garment industry based on its well-publicised commitment to basic labour standards, it's perhaps not surprising that the sector finds itself under a spotlight when it comes to wider worker welfare issues.
January/February 2012 management briefing: Apparel industry issues to watch in 2012
2 February 2012
For this year's annual management briefing on apparel industry issues to watch in the year ahead, just-style asked leading executives for their feedback on the challenges and opportunities likely to emerge in 2012. Their insight provides a fascinating overview of the state of the sector today.
Plassat to face French challenges at Carrefour
31 January 2012
Carrefour has announced it is parting company with CEO Lars Olofsson and will replace him with Vivarte's George Plassat. The move follows a turbulent year for the world's second-largest retailer, which has seen falling sales in France hit profits.
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”.
Key retail technology deployments at NRF 2012
19 January 2012
The retail industry's NRF 'BIG Show,' which took place in New York this week, is an annual opportunity for retailers to tap into the latest technologies for improving everything from customer analysis to mobile commerce. Here we round up some of the retail technology deployments unveiled at the event.
Upscale and value drive US retail sales in December
9 January 2012
The all-important December sales results shed some light on Christmas trading, with upscale and value-focused retailers the bright spots in a sector that saw weak-to-modest growth overall.
December 2011 management briefing: A year in review
19 December 2011
Global economic turmoil continued to impact on the apparel industry in 2011, and in all sectors, from retailing to manufacturing and sourcing, winners and losers were not hard to find. just-style’s review of the year tracks those for whom 2011 will be memorable in more ways than one, and also takes a look at some of the more unusual stories hitting the headlines.
Mary Portas' High Street Review
13 December 2011
Mary Portas has released her review of the troubled UK high street. The review covers the issues facing the channel, with 28 steps to turnaround the sector.
Sullivan departs as Talbots nears the crossroads
8 December 2011
Recent moves by troubled women's wear retailer Talbots to cut costs and boost higher-margin sections of the business have had little impact. And now the impending departure of CEO Trudy Sullivan has sparked a buyout bid from private equity firm Sycamore Partners.
November sales a mixed bag for US retailers
3 December 2011
US retailers posted a mixed bag of results in November, with earlier opening hours and Black Friday bargains helping to drive consumer traffic over the Thanksgiving weekend for some, but tougher comparisons with the year-ago period and weaker sales during the rest of the month weighing on others.
India set to relax retail rules
29 November 2011
After years of speculation and fierce debate, India looks set to ease restrictions of foreign investment in its booming retail sector. Business organisations and multinationals have welcomed the decision, although there remains some local opposition.
China expansion not without its challenges
25 November 2011
Gap's plans to triple its store network in China next year are hardly surprising given the country's booming consumer market, demand for western brands and, of course, the retailer's own strategic focus on global growth. But it admits the move is not without challenges.
Is own label about to collapse?
16 November 2011
With more and more own label apparel retailers eyeing growth in Asia and Latin America to make up for shortfalls in their domestic markets, will a business formula that's running out of steam at home will now work abroad. Especially if it's fuelled by designers who have little connection to those foreign customers.
Slimmer Liz Claiborne to trim corporate costs
11 November 2011
The new slimmed-down Liz Claiborne Inc, which in recent months has sold several under-performing brands including Mexx and its namesake Liz Claiborne label, has admitted it will also have to trim its corporate costs in line with its smaller footprint - but that an investment in new IT systems is also on the cards.
Australian retail's perfect storm
7 November 2011
Australian apparel retailers are facing a perfect storm. The country is only now seeing signs of the global economic crisis, the strong Australian dollar is driving shoppers to look at international online retailers - and the world's major fast fashion retailers are plotting their entries. Petah Marian reports on how the major firms are faring.
