just-style authors and correspondents

Articles by Guest author

How Trump's "Tariff Man" tweet roiled the markets 14 December 2018

Fascinating – just a few words escaped from the President's twitter feed and global markets start falling. Given his love for the Christmas season, his love for Brexit, his love for figgy pudding, it's not surprising that he reached for a Beatles song to express his views on trade when he grabbed "I Am The Walrus," writes Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).

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Looming Accord closure a risk to Bangladesh sourcing 22 November 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.

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Under the microscope – How forensic science provides proof of provenance 21 November 2018

Ethics have never been more important to consumers. From sustainability to fair trade and welfare standards, savvy brands know it is vital to ensure that ethical production, not just price, is hardwired into their supply chains. But in an age where products often cross multiple borders and pass through several sets of hands before reaching the shelves, how can producers, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers ensure they can back up their claims on the label?

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How to manage the hem and haw of inventory 19 October 2018

As consumer buying habits and demands become ever more complex, inventory management is key to ensuring companies can quickly respond to any fluctuations in customer demand and maintain the flow of product availability.

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Combatting endemic challenges to overhaul factory safety 10 October 2018

The Bangladesh experience represents a model for what factory safety reform might look like in other low-resource contexts. But now is a critical time to ensure there is no backsliding that could threaten the incredible progress made so far, writes Kathleen Almand, vice president of research, data and analytics at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

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Counteracting rising costs with digital colour measurement 9 October 2018

The price of dyes and chemicals is rising – bringing with it worry and uncertainty for the textile industry. One solution is to move to digital colour measurement technology – which can help counteract the cost.

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China’s factories about to pay a lot more in payroll taxes 3 October 2018

For years Chinese factories failed to enroll workers onto the country's social insurance scheme. But things could be about to change. From January next year responsibility for collecting payroll taxes will pass from the local social security bureau to local tax authorities, who have the capability and corporate tax data to ensure much better levels of compliance.

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Trump to the American retail consumer – "You're Fired" 30 August 2018

We are all trying hard to rationalise or explain what the Trump administration is trying to do, writes Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Apparently, we are attempting to stop unfair trade practices – promoted by China – by taxing ourselves and taking money out of our own pockets. Makes sense, right?

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re:source monthly trade programme roundup – June 2018 27 July 2018

To tie in with the launch of re:source, the new online strategic planning tool from the team behind just-style, this is the first in a monthly round-up of updates to key free trade agreements and trade preference programmes involving the US, EU and Japan.

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President Trump, farmers and the anti-gravity tariff machine 26 July 2018

On Tuesday the Trump administration sought to buy votes and silence farmers by offering them $12 billion to stop complaining about lost business due to tariffs. But while those in our industry who focus on global supply chains can easily empathise with the farmers...the difference is that the US government won't bail us out, writes Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).