Latest apparel and textile analysis
Comprehensive coverage of the apparel and textile industry's latest, breaking news brought to you by just-style's leading network of international journalists.
How apparel sourcing shifts impact the bottom line
It's no secret that apparel sourcing is in a constant state of flux. But what is less well documented is how strategies have evolved over th...
Sportswear firms facing skills gap on future tech
With manufacturing technology advancing at an ever-faster pace, sports apparel and footwear companies need to constantly look for ways to em...
Sourcing decision making – Cost & non-cost factors
How to build your own Balanced Scorecard, for your own business circumstances, and your own product categories with help from re:source by j...
Why the used clothes trade deserves more attention
While friction over the ban of used clothing exports from the US to East Africa seems to have come to an end, some fundamental issues still...
UK fast fashion brands shed light on sustainability challenges 10 Dec 2018
British apparel brands and retailers including Asos, Boohoo and Missguided have spoken of the challenges they face in trying to become more sustainable, including the lack of availability of recycled fibres they can integrate into their collections.
US imports from Vietnam at highest for a year 7 Dec 2018
All of the top ten individual supplier countries to the US recorded growth in imports in September, with those from Vietnam at their highest for the last 12 months, suggesting sourcing may be shifting from China to Vietnam over tariff fears.
re:source monthly trade programme roundup – November 2018 7 Dec 2018
The latest monthly round-up of updates to key free trade agreements and trade preference programmes involving the US, EU and Canada covers developments in November 2018. Trade agreements, rules of origin, tariffs and schedules are all covered in depth in the re:source by just-style strategic planning tool.
UK fast-fashion retailers asked to justify their low prices 6 Dec 2018
Making the sums add up on ultra-cheap fast fashion was one of the lines of questioning pursued during a parliamentary hearing last week, with British lawmakers asking retailers how they can justify selling dresses and T-shirts for just a couple of pounds.
British MPs criticise "mountain of clothing waste" 5 Dec 2018
Reducing waste, recycling and product disposal were among issues to come under the microscope in the latest parliamentary evidence session, where representatives from Marks & Spencer, Burberry and Primark were questioned by British lawmakers about efforts to deal with excess stock and unwanted garments.
Timeline – Trump’s track record on trade – Update 4 Dec 2018
Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, his administration has been busy fulfilling major campaign promises on trade policy – much to the concern of US fashion brands and apparel retailers. To keep abreast of developments, Dr Sheng Lu, associate professor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, has compiled a timeline of all the key milestones.
China to overtake US as world's largest fashion market, amid "urgent awakening" for industry 30 Nov 2018
Greater China will for the first time in centuries overtake the US as the world's largest fashion market in 2019, according to a new study, amid a year of "urgent awakening" for the industry as global growth slows. A new report offers the ten trends set to shape the industry during the course of the year.
Does size matter when it comes to sustainability? 28 Nov 2018
When it comes to implementing sustainable practices, the size of a business is less important than the vision of the CEO, delegates were told during one of the sessions at this year's Fair Wear Foundation Annual Summit in Amsterdam.
Why technology is key to the future of smart retailing 27 Nov 2018
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.
US-China trade war could accelerate Africa sourcing 26 Nov 2018
While 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.
How regional supply chains are shaping world textile and apparel trade 23 Nov 2018
Textiles and apparel are, without a doubt, global industries. However, analysis by Dr Sheng Lu, associate professor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, based on the re:source by just-style sourcing tool and data from UN Comtrade, suggests world textile and apparel trade is also becoming more regional.
Who's responsible for a sustainable garment industry? 23 Nov 2018
Creating a truly sustainable global garment industry requires input from all players, including brands and retailers, business associations, trade unions, governments, NGOs and the end consumer, was the message at this year's Fair Wear Foundation Annual Summit.
Looming Accord closure a risk to Bangladesh sourcing 22 Nov 2018
A crash in slow motion – it's the only way one can describe the looming economic fallout should Bangladesh refuse to extend the Accord on Fire and Building Safety. In just one week's time the Bangladesh Government may force this landmark agreement to stop operating out of Dhaka: a disaster for apparel workers' safety in an industry scarred by tragedy.
Underperforming Gap brand stores to close as sales slide 21 Nov 2018
Hundreds of store closures could be on the way at Gap Inc as CEO Art Peck says the firm is appraising the namesake brand locations that are "dragging down" the business. His comments come after the segment reported a 7% drop in third-quarter comparable sales.
Steps to reduce risk of child labour in garment supply chains 20 Nov 2018
The prevalence of child labour in garment factories in Asia is an uncomfortable truth for many brands and retailers. But the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) believes part of the solution is to ramp up discussions on why it happens, how to avoid it, and what to do when child workers are found.
UK manufacturing – a ticking time bomb or sourcing gold? 19 Nov 2018
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.
UK fashion industry not environmentally sustainable in current form 14 Nov 2018
A probe by Britain's lawmakers into the environmental sustainability of the UK clothing industry has heard how increasingly high volumes of so-called fast fashion items are magnifying the issues. Industry experts suggest solutions may lie in educating designers and consumers in the impacts of their choices, extended producer responsibility, and even new policy recommendations.
US brands ponder sourcing switch away from China 13 Nov 2018
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.
Mid-term power shift unlikely to end US-China trade war 12 Nov 2018
The coming change of control of the US House of Representatives from the ruling Republicans to the opposition Democrats will probably do little to stop the escalating tariff disputes between the US and China, the American fashion industry has been warned.
Four steps to start building advanced analytics into apparel 9 Nov 2018
The apparel industry is the laggard in embracing advanced analytics, often favouring merchant and designer-driven 'gut feel' over insight-driven decision making. But with the possibility of bagging a 10-15% cost saving in operations and supply chain, can businesses continue to afford to ignore its benefits?
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Insights
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- How Trump's "Tariff Man" tweet roiled the markets
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News
- Decision on Bangladesh Accord postponed again
- EU restricts 33 more clothing & textile chemicals
- Bangladesh garment factories shut amid strikes
- Tariff risk may curb positive US apparel outlook
- EU extends trade scheme for Jordan garment exports
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