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Spotlight on...Tommy Hilfiger buyout- (15th March 2010)
The acquisition of Netherlands-based fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger by apparel giant Phillips-Van Heusen signals further industry consolidation, but seems to make operational sense for both companies. Joe Ayling reports on today's (15 March) US$3bn deal.
THE FLANARANT: Imagination's better than a begging bowl- (12th March 2010)
Turkey’s about to hire lobbyists to try to secure duty-free access for its garments to the US, and Pakistan’s about to spend money on a similar campaign to stop paying EU import duty. But instead of investing a fortune on what is likely to be a fruitless exercise, Mike Flanagan believes they could be doing more to help themselves.
COMMENT: Garment sector well-placed to sell sustainability- (9th March 2010)
The garment industry’s global supply network gives it a key role to play in leading the push towards sustainability and eco-friendly production. But the sector must work as an industry with an industry-wide organisation and an industry-wide standard if it is to avoid the errors of compliance, believes David Birnbaum.
US: Retailers' February 2010 sales roundup- (4th March 2010)
The following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe chains' February 2010 sales results. The list will be updated as new results become available.
ANALYSIS: Demand-driven replenishment helps sales success- (2nd March 2010)
As retailers finally start to focus on growth again, avoiding the mistakes of the past - including excess stock, high markdowns, low margins and the wrong mix of styles and sizes - is key. Companies like Levi Strauss have found that a demand-driven approach to forecasting and replenishment has an important role to play.
In the money: Fashioning an IPO- (26th February 2010)
The lure of a stock market flotation has tempted fashion retailers including New Look, Express and Supergroup in recent months. Joe Ayling reports on the current climate for initial public offerings (IPOs).
ANALYSIS: Colombia's clothing industry in crisis?- (23rd February 2010)
From short-term extensions of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) to stalled free trade talks with the US and deteriorating relations with neighbouring Venezuela, Colombia's textile and clothing industry is struggling through tough times. It has now set its sights on the production of higher added value products, reports Jozef De Coster.
EU: Retailers brace as Sri Lanka loses trade benefit- (17th February 2010)
Months of uncertainty over sourcing apparel from Sri Lanka have come to an end after the European Union (EU) this week set a deadline for withdrawing the country's GSP+ trade benefits – a move that could also lead to higher prices on some garments.
ANALYSIS: Planning helps weather-proof apparel sales- (11th February 2010)
With retailers already starting to showcase their spring apparel lines, the heavy and unexpected blanket of snow currently sitting over parts of Europe and the US is set to hit sales hard. Small wonder then that specialist companies are now making an enticing offer: let us give you detailed weather predictions for your company – and watch your revenues and earnings rise as a result.
Apparel industry issues to watch in 2010- (9th February 2010)
If 2009 was a year of struggle for the global clothing and textile industry, as manufacturers and retailers alike battled to cope with the depth and severity of the worldwide recession, then what lies ahead in 2010? Sourcing winners and losers, trade agreements, customs reform, emerging retail trends and the outlook for retailers and consumers are just some of the topics discussed in the latest briefing from just-style.
