Latest apparel and textile news 
Comprehensive coverage of the apparel and textile industry's latest, breaking news brought to you by just-style's leading network of international journalists.
US: Cato Q1 profit slips on weaker sales
Value-priced fashion apparel The Cato Corporation has today (23 May) reported a 2.8% decline in first-quarter profit after cooler temperatures dampened sales.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Bon-Ton Stores Q1 loss narrows
Department store retailer Bon-Ton Stores has seen its first-quarter losses narrow, boosted by higher sales and fewer markdowns.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
BANGLADESH: Protests halt production at 25 apparel units
Production at nearly 25 apparel factories in the Ashulia industrial belt on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka was suspended today (23 May) as labour unrest intensified.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: The Buckle Q1 profit falls despite sales growth
Denim specialist The Buckle has today (23 May) posted a slight decline in first-quarter net profit, despite delivering higher sales than last year.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Ralph Lauren Q4 profit surges 35%
Luxury apparel and accessories business Ralph Lauren Corporation today (23 May) said its fourth-quarter profit surged 35%, even though falling wholesale orders and cold weather in Europe weighed on sales growth.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Rue21 to be taken private in $1.1bn deal
Teen apparel retailer Rue21 is to be acquired by private equity firm Apax Partners for US$1.1bn, in a move that will enable it to expand its store portfolio and build an e-commerce platform.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
SINGAPORE: Huntsman unveils fluorine-free protective finishes
A range of fluorine-free products designed to protect textiles and clothing against rain and every-day stains has been launched by Huntsman Textile Effects.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Manufacturing adds most to shoes' carbon footprint
A new assessment of the carbon footprint of a pair of running shoes has shown that most of the environmental impact comes from manufacturing processes - a result that surprised researchers.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: JC Penney raises extra $500m on $2.25bn loan
Department store retailer JC Penney has secured a five-year US$2.25bn loan - $500m more than it originally expected - as it looks to turn its struggling business around.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Delegation to discuss Bangladesh factory safety
A US government delegation visiting Bangladesh next week is set to lead a discussion on labour law reforms and safety standards in the garment sector in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza tragedy.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Crailar Technologies joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition
Crailar Technologies, developer of the Crailar Flax fibre, is the latest company to join the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which is working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of global apparel and footwear production.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
UK: Mothercare full-year loss narrows to GBP21.5m
Mother, baby and children's goods retailer Mothercare has narrowed its first-quarter loss at the end of the first year into its three-year transformation plan, despite being hampered by ongoing challenges in its domestic market.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
SOUTH AFRICA: Clothing workers strike against low wages
Around 10,000 South African clothing workers have taken part in a two-day strike this week to protest at wage levels that are below the minimum level.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
SWITZERLAND: Bluesign revises consumer chemical safety limits
Swiss company Bluesign Technologies, which provides tools to help screen and manage chemicals used in the textile manufacturing process, has revised the consumer safety limits published in its BSSL (Bluesign System Substances List).
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: American Eagle Outfitters Q1 profit falls
Teen apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters has posted a 29.5% decline in first-quarter net profit, after cooler weather dampened demand for its seasonal merchandise.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Limited Brands lifts outlook on Q1 profit
Limited Brands (now operating under a new temporary name L Brands) has lifted its full-year earnings guidance after posting a 14.4% increase in first-quarter net profit.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
WORLD: Organic cotton sector starting to stabilise
Following dramatic fluctuations in output over the last seven years, organic cotton production is finally showing signs of stabilising, according to new figures released this week.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Pacific Sunwear Q1 loss widens on charges
Teen sportswear retailer Pacific Sunwear has reported a wider first-quarter loss on the back of store closure costs and a loss on a derivative liability.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Surfwear maker Volcom adds to women's team
Kering-owned skatewear brand Volcom has appointed former Billabong executive Mandy Fry to the newly-created position as vice president of its women's division.
Published: 23 May 2013 | Read the full article >
CANADA: Sears Canada swings to Q1 loss
Retailer Sears Canada has today (22 May) swung to a first-quarter loss as falling sales in its home products offset year-on-year growth in apparel and accessories.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Citi Trends first-quarter profit falls 39%
Value-priced apparel retailer Citi Trends has today (22 May) seen its first-quarter profit slump 39% on the back of weaker sales in February and March.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
SWEDEN: iStone becomes DeSL Fashion PLM partner
UK-based software provider DeSL is partnering with Swedish IT consultancy iStone as its Fashion PLM partner.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Target cuts outlooks on lower Q1 profit
General merchandise retailer Target Corporation has lowered its full-year earnings outlook after higher interest charges as well as soft apparel sales weighed on first-quarter profits.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
WEST AFRICA: Project tackles cotton contamination
A project to reduce and prevent contamination of cotton in West Africa has helped more than 30,000 cotton farmers in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali over the past three years.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
ALGERIA: To set up US$900m textile and clothing cluster
The Société de Gestion des Participations Industries Manufacturières (SGP-IM), an Algerian state holding company which has stakes in numerous businesses including those specialising in garments, leather and footwear production, has signed a deal with Turkish group Taypa to build a textiles-clothing industry cluster in the North African country.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
CAMBODIA: H&M clothes linked to latest factory collapse
A factory where a shelter collapsed earlier this week injuring 23 people was making clothes for Swedish fashion retailer H&M without its knowledge, the company has admitted.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Perry Ellis inks Original Penguin license with Delta Galil
Clothing company Perry Ellis has entered into a licensing deal with apparel business Delta Galil USA to develop, produce and distribute Original Penguin men's underwear and loungewear.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: Signs accord to formalise talks on trade with Burma
The United States and Burma/Myanmar have signed a trade and investment framework agreement, in the latest move to boost ties between the two countries.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
UK: Clothing helps retail sales rise in April
Sales at UK textile, clothing, and footwear stores improved in April, contributing to an overall increase in the retail sector, according to official figures released today (22 May).
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
US: TJX Companies Q1 profit rises 8%
Off-price retailer The TJX Companies expects full-year earnings per share to be at the upper end of its previous guidance after first-quarter profit rose 8%.
Published: 22 May 2013 | Read the full article >
