Top stories on just-style in November include an interview with Pamela Mar, director of sustainability at the Fung Group and EVP of Supply Chain Futures for the Fung Academy, how the US-China trade war could accelerate sourcing from Africa, and reports of poor working conditions, low wages, modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK garment industry. Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) is preparing to launch the ‘UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion’ next year.
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Digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence are starting to bring more speed, efficiency and transparency to apparel supply chains – but less well documented is their potential impact on job losses and social unrest, especially in Asia. It’s a balancing act that Pamela Mar weighs up in her roles as director of sustainability at the Fung Group and EVP of Supply Chain Futures for the Fung Academy, as she tells just-style.
2. US brands ponder sourcing switch away from China
The ongoing trade dispute between the US and China could accelerate the trend for American apparel brands to shift their sourcing away from Chinese suppliers – but any such moves will pose challenges.
3. US-China trade war could accelerate Africa sourcing
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By GlobalDataWhile North Africa accounts for more than US$10bn of the continent’s US$13.54bn in clothing and textile exports, the much discussed potential of sub-Saharan Africa as the world’s next sourcing hub is starting to materialise, an industry conference has been told.
4. Ethiopia gets US$1.2m boost to accelerate economic growth
Ethiopia is to receive a US$1.2bn boost from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to help accelerate the country’s economic growth and achieve its vision of becoming a lower-middle-income country – a move expected to attract more foreign investment and raise export revenues.
5. Ethiopia invests $7bn in infrastructure and power projects
Ethiopia is to invest US$7bn in new infrastructure and power supply projects, amid plans by the country’s central government to boost economic growth and investment.
6. UK manufacturing – a ticking time bomb or sourcing gold?
Reports of poor working conditions, low wages, modern slavery and human trafficking in the global garment industry are usually focused on factories in Asia. But it’s happening closer to home as well. As more UK retailers look to reshore some of their sourcing, the local industry has come under intense scrutiny – and the findings are not good. Here executives from across the sector tell just-style what’s going wrong, and why tough government action is needed.
7. Why technology is key to the future of smart retailing
The digital disruption of the apparel industry from manufacturing to retail is being driven by virtual reality, 3D modelling, artificial intelligence and voice technology. So to be successful into the future, companies along the supply chain must embrace these new tools to better connect with consumers.
8. UN to launch Alliance on Sustainable Fashion next year
The United Nations (UN) is preparing to launch the ‘UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion’ in March next year, in a bid to create an industry-wide push for action to reduce fashion’s negative social, economic and environmental impacts.
9. Vertical fashion firms are setting the pace on go-to-market
Fashion firms are continuing to wrestle with the challenges of taking decisions quickly and meeting deadlines – and admit they are struggling to speed their go-to-market processes to keep up with fast-moving consumer buying behaviour.
10. VF Corp inks deal for new Jeanswear business headquarters
US apparel giant VF Corp has named historic textile mill Revolution Mill in Greensboro, North Carolina, as the future home for select functions of its Jeanswear business.
