Latest apparel and textile news & insights
Comprehensive coverage of the apparel and textile industry's latest, breaking news and insights brought to you by just-style's leading network of international journalists.
Latest insights 
M&S plays up its clothing revamp as sales slide
By: Leonie Barrie | 21 May 2013
The challenges faced by Marks & Spencer's clothing business have already been well-documented, so it was no surprise that a fall in annual sales has weighed on the retailer's bottom line.
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.
just-style's research roundup
By: Liz Hague | 20 May 2013
Featured reports from just-style's research store this week include a review of the global market for workwear, a report on the prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Cambodia, and a look at the cost of spinning, texturing, weaving and knitting production in nine countries.
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Current hot issue
Transatlantic divide on Bangladesh factory safety
Apparel brands and retailers have been rushing to agree new rules to improve safety in Bangladesh garment factories. But while European firms are favouring the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety, a coalition of North American retailers has gone its own way with the Safer Factories Initiative.
Latest columns
Latest blog: Bangladesh safety plans leap forward
By: Leonie Barrie
20 May 2013
Some of the largest retailers and brands sourcing apparel from Bangladesh - including H&M, Primark, C&A, Tesco and Inditex (operator of the Zara stores) - last week committed to support a new Accord on Fire and Building Safety, intended to improve safety in the country's clothing factories.
Trade Finance and Supply Chain Visibility
The latest supply chain insights and best practices for apparel brands and retailers.
just-style research roundup
A weekly roundup of the latest research reports available on just-style.
Global news roundup
just-style's summary of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media.
Viewpoint
just-style editor Leonie Barrie shares her thoughts on some of the top stories in the news.
In the money
A regular in-depth analysis prompted by what’s happening in the financial world and how it impacts on the apparel and footwear supply chain from manufacturing to retail.
The Flanarant
A forthright take on the follies the world’s apparel buying community has to deal with, from Mike Flanagan, CEO of Clothesource – and his suggestions for putting them right.
Speaking with style
Exclusive interviews with some of the apparel and footwear industry’s leading movers and shakers. Companies already featured include Marks & Spencer, H&M, Timberland, Adidas, New Look and Li & Fung.
Spotlight on...
With a focus on individual companies, new or emerging markets, and issues such as product safety – this column takes a behind the scenes look that sheds new light on stories hitting the headlines.
Research updates
Facts and figures taken from some of the research reports published on just-style. Much of this information is only available in the reports themselves, so these articles provide a valuable snapshot of the latest data and forecasts.
Top stories on just-style
If you’re short of time or haven’t managed to check in to all our daily newsletters, reading these articles will ensure you’re up-to-date on the top five most-read stories on just-style in any given week.
Retail roundup
A month-by-month overview of US apparel and shoe chains' sales results. Same-store sales figures help gauge how a specific retailer has performed, making this feature invaluable for evaluating your customers or competitors.
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Latest news
US: Investors take a stand on Bangladesh safety deal
21 May 2013
Institutional investors and shareholders with more than $2.5trn in assets under management are adding pressure to retailers sourcing clothing from Bangladesh to implement a number of reforms, including signing up to the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety.
UPDATE: UK: Burberry posts double-digit FY profit growth
21 May 2013
Luxury goods business Burberry has today (21 May) booked a 14% rise in full-year profit, bolstered by increased demand in China and Hong Kong and overseas store growth.
EUROPE: Product safety alerts led by clothing
21 May 2013
Clothing items were among the most potentially dangerous consumer products entering the European Union (EU) last year according to new figures on product safety enforcement.
UK: General merchandise weighs on M&S FY profit
21 May 2013
Retailer Marks & Spencer today (21 May) reported a 6.5% drop in annual group profits as higher operating costs and poor sales of general merchandise - which includes clothing and footwear - continued to weigh on its performance.
US: Saks Q1 profit slumps 37.8% but sales rise
21 May 2013
Luxury retailer Saks has today (21 May) posted a 37.8% decline in first-quarter net profit after it was weighed down by store closing costs and debt-extinguishment losses.
US: Dick's Sporting Goods Q1 profit rises 13.4%
21 May 2013
Sportswear retailer Dick's Sporting Goods has today (21 May) reported a 13.4% jump in first-quarter net profit despite lower-than-expected sales growth.
CANADA: L Brands to move La Senza DC to Ohio
21 May 2013
L Brands, the new, temporary name for Limited Brands, is to relocate its La Senza distribution centre operations from Montreal, Canada to its Columbus, Ohio base in the US to "better meet customer demand" worldwide.
US: K-Swiss acquires OTZ Shoes
21 May 2013
E-Land and K-Swiss have acquired California-based comfort footwear brand OTZ Shoes, their first deal since merging at the end of last month.
US: Activewear outpaces total kids' apparel market
21 May 2013
Activewear is the fastest-growing sector of the kids' apparel market, with double-digit sales gains seen in the year to March, new research suggests.
UK: Barbour announces two senior appointments
21 May 2013
Global lifestyle brand Barbour has announced two senior management appointments as it continues to expand in the UK.
