Talbots opens books to Sycamore Partners
Troubled US clothing retailer Talbots has agreed to open its books to private-equity firm Sycamore Partners after it rebuffed an offer for the company last month.
Fung Brands poised to acquire Sonia Rykiel
Hong Kong based investment firm Fung Brands is in exclusive talks with French luxury fashion brand Sonia Rykiel to take an 80% stake in the company.
Jacobson Group rescues Dolcis from administrators
The Jacobson Group, which owns brands such as Gola, Lotus, Ravel and Frank Wright, has added to its line-up after buying the Dolcis footwear brand from the administrators of the Barratts Priceless Group.
This week, featured research from just-style includes a look at key apparel opportunities in Western Europe, prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Brazil and an analysis of luxury sector in the Asia Pacific region.
Webinar: Sourcing in China: what's the alternative?
Attend this one hour webinar to find out whether there is an alternative to sourcing apparel from China. Date: February 1, 2012. Time: 4pm UK / 11am US / 12am HKT / 5pm EUR.
Latest apparel and textile news 
CAMBODIA: Tribunal to probe garment pay and conditions
3 February 2012
Groups representing Cambodian garment workers are holding a "people's tribunal" next week to investigate pay and conditions at factories making clothes for brands including Adidas, Puma, H&M and Gap.
WORLD: Economic slowdown could weigh on cotton prices
3 February 2012
The International Cotton Advisory Board (ICAC) has cut global demand estimates for the fibre, signalling that slower global economic growth and ample supplies could place downward pressure on prices.
ITALY: Benetton family makes EUR276.6m takeover bid
3 February 2012
Edizione Srl, the investment firm controlled by the Benetton family, has made a EUR276.6m (US$364.4m) bid to buy all the shares it doesn't already own in Benetton Group SpA and delist the clothing company.
China's new five-year plan to guide industry expansion
Domestic market expansion, new materials development and the transfer of production bases are all priorities under the 12th five-year plan (2011 to 2015) for the domestic textile industry, released by mainland China's ministry of industry and information technology earlier this month.
Hot issue
January/February 2012 management briefing: Apparel industry issues to watch in 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.
Latest comment
Viewpoint: Will Bangladesh be the next sourcing hotspot?
The global clothes sourcing bandwagon is forever looking for the next hot spot, especially as nearly two decades of apparel price deflation comes to an end and worries continue to escalate about raw material and labour costs, capacity issues and the overall competitiveness of China. But is Bangladesh ready to step into the role of sourcing country of choice?
Top stories on just-style this week...
3 February 2012
INDIA: Designer wear “set for boom”
3 February 2012
US: Columbia Sportswear Q4 profit soars on sales boost
3 February 2012
US: Bebe Stores Q2 profit boosted by sales hike
3 February 2012
US: LaCrosse Footwear FY profit cut after poor Q4
3 February 2012
HONDURAS: Stretchline sets up Central America production
3 February 2012
FRANCE: LVMH FY profit breaks EUR5bn barrier
3 February 2012
US: Marlow rejoins Urban Outfitters brand as CEO
3 February 2012
US: Macy's taps Alberta Ferretti for next designer line
3 February 2012
Chinese deal could herald new era for African cotton
A recent Chinese-African cotton agreement could usher in a new era for the African cotton industry - but not in the short-term, say industry experts.
Hot issue
Plassat to face French challenges at Carrefour
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.
Latest insights
Cautious US consumers weigh on January retail sales
3 February 2012
Post-holiday discounts helped many US retailers lift their sales in January, according to monthly figures released yesterday (2 February), but overall results were mixed as many consumers shopped cautiously amid the struggling economy.
US: Retailers' January 2012 sales roundup
2 February 2012
The following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe retailers' January 2012 sales results.
just-style management briefing: Other issues to watch in the year ahead
2 February 2012
Generally, 2012 is seen as being another challenging business year for the apparel industry. Uncertainties include the performance of the global economy, the European debt crisis, US consumer sentiment, and producer price inflation. Being able to react quickly to sourcing challenges, get more efficient in production, and reduce cycle times will help firms react to these volatile markets.
just-style management briefing: Lessons learnt from the past for the future
2 February 2012
What should apparel firms have learnt from the upheaval of the past couple of years - and what should they be doing now if they want to remain competitive into the future? Buyers and manufacturers need to build a deeper, long-term relationship our respondents said, as well as focusing on a sourcing portfolio that balances costs and risks.
just-style management briefing: Opportunities for the apparel industry in 2012
2 February 2012
Opportunities the apparel industry can look forward to this year include speed to market, which favours sourcing in the western hemisphere; growth in the number and spending power of middle-lass consumers in emerging markets like China and India; and the use of technology and the internet to make sourcing a truly global activity.
just-style management briefing: Apparel industry challenges in 2012
2 February 2012
Uncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the apparel industry in 2012. The economic situation in Europe and the US, swings in commodity prices, labour shortages and rising costs, especially in China, all add up to a worrying year.
China's new five-year plan to guide industry expansion
31 January 2012
Domestic market expansion, new materials development and the transfer of production bases are all priorities under the 12th five-year plan (2011 to 2015) for the domestic textile industry, released by mainland China's ministry of industry and information technology earlier this month.
Plassat to face French challenges at Carrefour
31 January 2012
After a tumultuous three years at the helm of the world's second-largest grocery retailer, Carrefour chairman and CEO Lars Olofsson is set to be replaced by Georges Plassat.
just-style's research roundup
30 January 2012
This week, featured research from just-style includes a look at key apparel opportunities in Western Europe, prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Brazil and an analysis of luxury sector in the Asia Pacific region.
Mexican makers plea for tougher transport security
Mexico's apparel association has asked the government to toughen security on the country's roads amid rising crime against clothing cargoes aimed at the export market.
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Reports in focus
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The just-style blog
M&S breathes sigh of relief as Plassat appointed to Carrefour
By: Petah Marian
01 Feb 2012
Marks and Spencer will have breathed a sigh of relief following the appointment of Georges Plassat as CEO of Carrefour.
JC Penney revamp a breath of fresh air?
By: Leonie Barrie
30 Jan 2012
Retail sales paint too rosy a picture
By: Leonie Barrie
23 Jan 2012
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Sri Lanka and the Business of Sustainable Apparel
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Dress to Impress at the Christmas Work Do
Party season is well underway and amidst the festive cheer is panic and dread over what to wear to the office Christmas party. This annual event is a fashion minefield, with potential pitfalls at every turn, so selecting the perfect outfit can take considerable planning.
