Latest apparel news and analysis articles 
This section details men's, women's and children’s wear firms, product categories including outerwear, knitwear, jeans, sportswear, luxury and intimate apparel, as well as information relating to the sector such as licensing deals and appointments
Hong Kong's changing role in the apparel industry
10 February 2012
China's rise over the past two decades as the leading location for apparel sourcing has had a knock-on effect on Hong Kong's role in the global garment industry, shifting it from a manufacturer to a servicing and sourcing centre. It will take on even more diverse roles in the future, according to industry executives speaking at recent conferences in Hong Kong. Vicky Sung reports.
SRI LANKA: Hirdaramani factory in carbon neutral "first"
10 February 2012
A Sri Lankan firm's eco-friendly garment factory has been awarded CarbonNeutral certification - making it the first apparel plant in Asia to achieve this accolade and helping shore up the country's reputation as a leader in ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Top stories on just-style this week...
10 February 2012
The most-read stories on just-style this week included news that Nike has lent its support to a new waterless fabric dyeing process, the recommendation that international brands and retailers address the low wages of Cambodian garment workers, and reports that despite facing a tough year, China's textile and clothing industry is set for further growth.
PHILIPPINES: Uniqlo to open first store in June
10 February 2012
Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing Co Ltd is to open its first Uniqlo casual clothing store in the Philippines later this year, to add to its growing presence in South East Asia.
GERMANY: Gerry Weber to buy insolvent retailer Wissmach
10 February 2012
German fashion firm Gerry Weber International AG is taking over the assets of insolvent women's wear retailer Wissmach Modefilialen GmbH, the company revealed today (10 February).
CANADA: Trimera to speed domestic design and production
10 February 2012
Apparel maker Trimera Group is opening two domestic development and production facilities next month to provide customers with on-site design centres as well as seamless knitting capabilities to help cut the time it takes to commercialise, test and launch products.
US: Crocs to expand beyond footwear
10 February 2012
Footwear business Crocs is exploring a number of new licensing opportunities as the company looks to expand the scope of its namesake brand.
US: People’s Liberation changes name, business model
10 February 2012
Apparel business People’s Liberation is to change its name and business model after raising up to US$14.5m in funding from private equity group Tengram Capital Partners.
US: True Religion Q4 profit dips, sales robust
10 February 2012
Luxury jeanswear brand True Religion Apparel recorded slightly lower fourth quarter profits, but increased sales on the back of a 23.7% revenue surge in US retail.
GERMANY: Hybrid yarn developed for sport and leisure wear
10 February 2012
Researchers in Germany have developed an innovative new yarn for sport and leisure wear which is based on regenerated cellulose fibres and said to combine the benefits of synthetic and woollen fibres.
US: Perry Ellis inks men's wear deal with Duckie Brown
10 February 2012
Apparel maker Perry Ellis International Inc has tapped men's wear designer duo Duckie Brown to create a new apparel collection for the Perry Ellis sportswear brand.
FINLAND: Investments weigh on Marikekko FY profit
10 February 2012
Finnish fashion and textiles firm Marimekko Group today (10 February) posted a 57% drop in full-year operating profit as changes to its domestic distribution network and investments in its international expansion overshadowed higher sales.
UK: Woolmark relaunches Cool Wool campaign
10 February 2012
The Woolmark Company is hoping to boost uptake of lightweight Merino suiting fabrics this summer with the reintroduction of its 'Cool Wool' campaign.
SWEDEN: New Wave Q4 profit dips in “tough year”
10 February 2012
Brand developer New Wave Group’s fourth quarter profit dipped on the back of static sales, concluding a “tough year” for the company.
US: Zero discharge initiative "should include suppliers"
9 February 2012
Plans by six apparel and footwear brands and retailers to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals from their supply chains by 2020 have been widely praised by a group of stakeholders - but are aiming for a challenging deadline and should have been expanded to include suppliers, they say.
Viewpoint: Cambodia's garment sector faces continued challenges
9 February 2012
With much of the success of Cambodia's garment industry based on its well-publicised commitment to basic labour standards, it's perhaps not surprising that the sector finds itself under a spotlight when it comes to wider worker welfare issues. Indeed, several events that have taken place in recent weeks highlight some of the challenges faced by the local industry.
US: Ralph Lauren ups FY guidance after buoyant Q3
9 February 2012
Luxury apparel business Ralph Lauren Corporation increased its full-year revenue guidance after a double-digit third quarter sales increase and a marginal rise in profit.
SWEDEN: Strong Q4 profit gain boosts Björn Borg
9 February 2012
Apparel business Björn Borg boosted full-year profits by 10% thanks to a strong fourth quarter performance which brought annual sales level with 2010.
GERMANY: Hugo Boss hits FY record after buoyant Q4
9 February 2012
Designer fashion house Hugo Boss recorded strong revenue and earnings growth in the fourth quarter to reach record levels of sales and profits for 2011.
CANADA: Gildan Q1 loss blamed on destocking
9 February 2012
Gildan Activewear slid to a first quarter loss as sales fell by 8.3%, and despite a strong retail showing thanks to new acquisition Gold Toe Moretz.
US: Jones Group nearly halves Q4 loss
9 February 2012
Footwear and apparel business Jones Group nearly halved its fourth quarter net loss as revenues edged up – but still fell short of expectations.
INDIA: Rising interest rates a "mounting crisis" for exporters
9 February 2012
The chairman of the group that represents Indian apparel exporters has warned of a "mounting crisis" as rising interest rates and a slowdown in demand from customers in the US and EU weigh on businesses.
SOUTH KOREA: Hyosung develops new dyeable elastane
9 February 2012
South Korean yarn producer Hyosung has developed a new dyeable version of its Creora elastane fibre, which it is launching next week in partnership with European Stretch Fabrics.
UK: Retailer Shoon collapses into administration
9 February 2012
Family owned footwear and clothing retailer Shoon Limited has collapsed into administration after failing to sell some of its loss-making shops.
CAMBODIA: Tribunal urges "immediate steps" on garment pay
8 February 2012
A two-day hearing in which over 200 Cambodian garment workers gathered to give evidence on pay and conditions at factories has recommended that international brands and retailers take "immediate steps" to address the issue of poverty wages for factory workers.
US: Nike backs waterless fabric dyeing process
8 February 2012
Sporting goods giant Nike Inc has teamed up with a Dutch textile machinery company that has developed a way to dye fabrics without using water - and says it hopes to boost the technology's uptake throughout the apparel industry.
US: Cotton costs halve Levi Strauss Q4 profit
8 February 2012
Jeans giant Levi Strauss & Co has seen its fourth quarter profit nearly cut in half as rising cotton costs outpaced higher ticket prices.
EU: Industry group backs anti-counterfeiting pact
8 February 2012
The body representing the European textile and apparel industry is urging the European Parliament and EU member states to adopt legislation designed to combat global copyright infringement - despite mounting public opposition to the treaty.
UK: Slowing January sales to weigh on SuperGroup FY
8 February 2012
Shares in clothing retailer SuperGroup Plc have fallen by 18% in early trading today (8 February) after the owner of the Superdry youth clothing brand warned full-year pre-tax profit would be at the lower end of forecasts after sales slowed in January.
PAKISTAN: Inks pact with Indonesia to boost trade
8 February 2012
Pakistan and Indonesia have signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that should boost trade and investment flows between the two countries and could ultimately lead to the creation of a Free Trade Area.
