Latest sourcing news and analysis articles 
Issues of interest to the international sourcing community, including the major supplying countries, trade agreements, protectionism and production trends
AUSTRALIA: Pacific Brands CEO unveils turnaround plan
19 June 2013
The CEO of ailing Australian clothing and footwear company Pacific Brands has revealed a five-year plan to try to turnaround the company.
INDIA: New textiles minister eyes $50bn in exports
19 June 2013
India's new textiles minister has promised to do "everything possible" to boost employment and exports in the country's clothing and textiles sector.
PANAMA: Files dispute against Colombia textile tariffs
19 June 2013
Panama has filed a dispute against Colombia with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding customs measures relating to the import of textiles, apparel and footwear.
US: Firms caught smuggling unsafe children's products
19 June 2013
Three Florida-based corporations and their management have been sentenced for smuggling counterfeit Disney, Marvel and major league baseball merchandise from China.
Texprocess 2013: Lectra re-sets its focus for the future
18 June 2013
The first clue that Lectra is taking a new approach to meeting the needs of its customers came from the display on its stand at last week's Texprocess technology trade show.
Texprocess 2013: What's driving investment in apparel software?
18 June 2013
Efforts to reduce costs, cut lead times and improve quality are all driving investments in supply chain software, according to exhibitors at last week's Texprocess trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. And not surprisingly, vendors such as Gerber Technology and Human Solutions are focusing their developments on tools to meet these needs as seamlessly as possible.
BANGLADESH: Tesco stops sourcing at unsafe factory
17 June 2013
UK retail giant Tesco has stopped taking clothing from one of its supplier factories in Bangladesh after a structural survey of the site revealed serious safety issues.
US: Military stores closer to improving Bangladesh safety
17 June 2013
US lawmakers on Friday (14 June) passed a Department of Defense spending bill that includes a measure requiring that garments made in Bangladesh and sold at stores on US military bases are sourced from factories which comply with new codes on fire and building safety.
UPDATE: CAMBODIA: Garment workers sacked over strike
17 June 2013
Protests are continuing over the mass sacking in Cambodia of striking workers who make garments for companies including Nike, Lululemon Athletica and Wilson Sports Apparel.
TURKMENISTAN: Textile industry offers investment potential
17 June 2013
Turkmenistan's growing textile sector may in future provide opportunities for foreign investment through the privatisation of state-owned manufacturing units, a spokesman from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Ashgabat told just-style.
BANGLADESH: Unions reject "inadequate" labour law changes
14 June 2013
New labour law proposals drawn up by the Bangladeshi government have been rejected by union leaders in the country, who describe them as "inadequate."
US: Developing countries call for renewal of GSP programme
14 June 2013
A group of 15 developing countries able to export certain goods to the US duty-free under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme are calling for the scheme to be renewed.
JORDAN: Unions agree deal for textile and garment workers
14 June 2013
Textile and garment industry workers in Jordan have reached an agreement with two employer associations that should lead to better working conditions.
just-style's most read stories this week...
14 June 2013
The most-read stories on just-style this week include a report that China's cotton stocks policy may lead to higher prices, a look at whether the tide of social accountability is turning, and an admission that clothing factories in Burma need to be improved.
US: New pre-configured PLM retail and apparel
14 June 2013
A new pre-configured PLM solution has been developed to help retail, apparel and footwear companies achieve faster deployment and take advantage of best practices and industry-specific functionality.
M&S and Al Gore issue rallying cry for sustainability
13 June 2013
Retailer Marks & Spencer issued a rallying cry for sustainability at its Plan A supplier conference today, where former US vice president and environmental activist Al Gore talked about some of the issues he believes the business community needs to address.
INDIA: Eyes key role in reviving Burma apparel factories
13 June 2013
India is hoping to play a key role in re-opening 300 apparel factories in Burma/Myanmar, offering finance, technical assistance, and advice on compliance and best practice.
US: Urged to make EU jeans tax a priority in trade talks
13 June 2013
A group of US lawmakers has asked the Obama Administration to fight "unfair" European Union (EU) duties on American-made women's jeans by making the issue a priority in upcoming trade talks.
US: Measure to tap military stores on Bangladesh safety
13 June 2013
US lawmakers are seeking assurances that garments made in Bangladesh and sold at stores on US military bases are sourced from factories that comply with new codes on fire and building safety.
US: Retailers remain cautious on merchandise imports
13 June 2013
Import cargo volumes at major US retail container ports are expected to rise 1.1% percent in June over the same month last year, reflecting modest growth as retailers head toward the back-to-school and holiday seasons.
Who has signed the Bangladesh safety accord - update
11 June 2013
A total of 44 companies have now signed the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in April, which killed more than 1,100 people.
BANGLADESH: Apparel exports grow despite incidents
11 June 2013
Political turmoil and deadly industrial accidents have not hampered growth in the Bangladesh apparel sector, with woven garment exports rising more than 14% in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year.
SPAIN: Mango profit up 79% in 2012
11 June 2013
Spanish retailer Mango saw full year profit shoot up during the 2012 financial year.
The Flanarant: Is the tide of social accountability turning?
10 June 2013
In the past few months, some of the world's most powerful institutions have criticised how the apparel industry operates. And while businesses are getting advice from many different directions, Mike Flanagan wonders if compliance has reached a watershed moment.
CHINA: Cotton stocks policy may lead to higher prices
10 June 2013
China's massive cotton stockpiles have been interpreted as bearish for prices by the US Department of Agriculture - but analysts suggest a tight supply outside the country and the unwillingness of local textile mills to buy at auction will push prices higher into next season.
BURMA: Clothing factories not yet ready for major US orders
10 June 2013
Although major US companies have shown interest in importing garments from Burma/Myanmar, systems and infrastructure need to be improved and restructured before significant US-Burma clothing and textile commerce can begin in earnest.
just-style's research roundup
10 June 2013
Featured reports on just-style's research store this week include a look at tomorrow's apparel industry, a review of the workwear sector, and the Chinese apparel market.
UK: M&S increases sustainable cotton use
10 June 2013
Marks and Spencer has increased the amount of cotton sourced from more sustainable sources over the past year.
INDONESIA: Asmara to implement cloud PLM and ERP software
10 June 2013
Global product development and sourcing organisation Asmara is to implement cloud PLM and ERP software from WFX across its offices in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Get your act together on Bangladesh, industry told
7 June 2013
The Rana Plaza factory disaster should be a wake-up call for everyone involved in the apparel industry - and the catalyst for real, systematic change in Bangladesh - the US Senate was told during a special hearing yesterday (6 June).
