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In the money: Fashion brands flock online- (20th October 2009)
The evolution of the Internet has created a fresh competition platform for clothing and footwear companies. Joe Ayling reports on a frenzy of developments in the online fashion sector.
ANALYSIS: Do lean inventories mean retail holiday woes?- (16th October 2009)
As consumer spending has fallen amid the economic downturn, US retail chains have cut back savagely on inventory to save cash. An understandable reaction, but one that could spell trouble for suppliers and retailers alike in the run-up to the holiday season, reports Richard Woodard.
COMMENT: Pre-recession problems haunt apparel industry- (1st October 2009)
Wherever you look just now, it seems someone’s saying the recession’s nearly over. Investigate the evidence, though, and many pre-recession problems in the apparel industry are coming back. Falling prices, rising wages, the fear of protectionist action, and even indentured labour are just some of the reasons to be cheerless, writes Mike Flanagan.
Speaking with style: Mike Barry, head of sustainable business, M&S- (25th September 2009)
Recessions are difficult times for most retailers but Marks & Spencer (M&S) arguably has a harder time than most. Not only does it endure the leaner pickings all retailers suffer, but it does so under the glare of the media spotlight. That said, one area where it looks set to stay well ahead of the game is in the sustainability stakes, as Mike Barry, head of sustainable business at M&S, tells just-style.
Value clothing retailers shine amid recession- (22nd September 2009)
In a year that is likely to go down as one of the worst on record for the pan-European apparel industry, one sector continues to shine bright: value clothing. And one retailer that truly stands out here is Primark, a new report says. If the value players can continue to see off competitive pressures and ethical concerns, then they will continue to outperform.
Retailers and suppliers brace for slow recovery- (18th September 2009)
Faced with one of the most challenging years on record, retailers and their suppliers are being forced to adjust their business strategies to deal with this drearier operating environment. And with retail inventories down, discounts up, and credit still tight, many believe that consumer spending will lag the turnaround of the US financial markets, new research reveals.
ANALYSIS: New safeguard concerns hit US apparel sector- (15th September 2009)
The decision by President Barack Obama to impose tariffs on imported tyres from China has raised fears that clothing and textile imports into the US could be the next in line to face restrictions. But while the likelihood of such measures is slim, there’s plenty firms can do to prepare, as Leonie Barrie reports.
ANALYSIS: Textile industry concedes defeat on DR-CAFTA- (11th September 2009)
It’s no secret that the Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) has failed to meet its once highly touted benefits on the region’s textiles and apparel trade. But many industry observers are now abandoning the notion that it will ever do so, writes Ivan Castano Freeman.
SOURCING: Is fast fashion starting to fade?- (8th September 2009)
Fast fashion has for years been hailed as the “next big thing.” But a glance at any major clothing store in Europe or North America would suggest fast fashion has already taken over the industry. What hasn’t happened, though, is the accompanying shift in production to local factories that was so widely predicted. Here Mike Flanagan looks at why retailers show little sign of sourcing closer to home.
In the money: Back-to-school sums don’t add up- (1st September 2009)
Kids aren’t the only ones dreading going back-to-school; this year retailers too are fearful that the second busiest shopping season after Christmas will fail to deliver a much-needed boost to their finances. While forecasts suggest consumer spending is likely to slow, value retailers and discounts are set to win the day, as Leonie Barrie reports.
