Latest textile & apparel news

US retailer Target Corp has tapped PepsiCo executive Brian Cornell as its new chairman and CEO, with one analyst applauding the move as "a good choice".

US: Steve Madden reports "difficult" Q2 31 Jul 2014

Footwear and accessories specialist Steve Madden has highlighted what was a "difficult" second-quarter for the group after booking a decline in earnings and sales.

SRI LANKA: More Brandix plants win M&S green accolade 31 Jul 2014

Two manufacturing plants in the Brandix Apparel Solutions Lingerie Cluster in Sri Lanka have been awarded the Eco Factory Attributes accolade by retailer Marks & Spencer.

CAMBODIA: Better Factories phone project revamped 31 Jul 2014

The ILO-Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) initiative has revamped its Kamako Chhnoeum worker education mobile phone project after a drop in the number of calls.

UK: Matalan makes payment to Rana Plaza fund 31 Jul 2014

UK apparel retailer Matalan has made a contribution to the Rana Plaza Compensation Trust Fund but insists it has never been ordered by any organisation to pay compensation.

US: Physical stores remain key to omnichannel retailing 31 Jul 2014

Leonie Barrie

Digital retailing might be capturing headlines, but physical stores continue to be the preferred channel for consumers when it comes to shopping, new research suggests.

US: Authentic buys footwear brands from Payless 31 Jul 2014

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is adding to its growing portfolio by acquiring the Collective Licensing International footwear brands from Payless ShoeSource for an undisclosed sum.

US: Footwear sourcing shifts from China to Vietnam 31 Jul 2014

Leonie Barrie

Faced with tariffs and rising costs in the supply chain, US footwear companies are sourcing more from inner China and non-traditional production countries, according to a new report.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: US apparel import scheme “not helping” 31 Jul 2014

The Earned Import Allowance Program (EIAP), designed to boost US imports of apparel from the Dominican Republic, is continuing to fail, according to an annual review.

US: Christopher & Banks appoints Derry as merchandise head 31 Jul 2014

US women's wear retailer Christopher & Banks has appointed former National Stores executive, Lynn Derry as its senior vice president, general merchandise manager.

GERMANY: Hugo Boss Q2 profit up on Europe growth 31 Jul 2014

German fashion group Hugo Boss has posted a healthy rise in second quarter net profit, thanks to good sales growth in Europe and the Americas.

FRANCE: Kering H1 profit lifts on revenue rise 31 Jul 2014

Luxury goods group Kering, owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Puma, registered net profit growth in the first half of the year as revenues crept up on last year.

UK: Tesco sees departure of two F&F heads 31 Jul 2014

Two department directors for Tesco's F&F clothing division have stepped down from their roles.

INDIA: Arvind grows Q1 profit on revenue gains 31 Jul 2014

A solid revenue gain at its brands and retail business helped Indian textile conglomerate Arvind Ltd to book a double-digit increase in first-quarter profit.

UK: Consumer confidence drops to six-month low 31 Jul 2014

Confidence among UK consumers in July dropped for the first time in six months, according to new figures.

GERMANY: Adidas shares plunge as FY outlook cut 31 Jul 2014

Adidas shares plunged this morning (31 July) after the German sporting giant cut its earnings forecast and announced plans to close stores in Russia and restructure its TaylorMade golf unit.

UK: Bonmarché makes solid start to new fiscal year 31 Jul 2014

Value-led women's wear retailer Bonmarché says it has made a good start to the new financial year after booking an increase in like-for-like sales in its first-quarter.

US: Destination Maternity Q3 earnings and sales slide 30 Jul 2014

Destination Maternity has reported a drop in earnings in its third-quarter as revenues also fell.

GHANA: Task force to tackle textile design piracy 30 Jul 2014

The Ghanaian government has set up a task force to combat the trade in counterfeit versions of the country’s textile designs.

US: Arrests made at REI/North Face protests 30 Jul 2014