Latest apparel and textile comment
The best views and opinions in apparel and textile industry publishing, all in one place, from apparel and textile's monthly columnists and in-house experts.
Faster fashion – Shortening the apparel calendar
To get new styles into stores more quickly, fashion companies must improve internal collaboration, tap into consumer insights, and start to...
How buying from Bangladesh can help boost wages
In spite of the country's advances since 2013, Bangladesh's minimum wage is still just $64 a month. Mike Flanagan asks why, and suggests tha...
Let’s salute Bangladesh progress since Rana Plaza
Five years ago, the Rana Plaza catastrophe made Bangladesh notorious – and turned our industry into a pariah. Today, our reaction to the cat...
Rana Plaza five years on – A time for reflection
As the global garment industry stops to reflect on the tragic events that took place in Bangladesh exactly five years ago today (24 April),...
Global supply chains still missing sourcing strategy links 3 Apr 2018
Like the scientists and academics debating the missing link in human evolution, global supply chains are still missing "links" when it comes to their sourcing strategies, even after years of practice. In today's supply chains this is the compelling connection between sourcing and logistics.
The Flanarant – Brexit threat fades, along with interest 23 Mar 2018
This week, the UK and EU agreed a provisional Brexit transition deal on their relationship from March 2019. So what's going to change next year? More or less nothing, writes Mike Flanagan, adding that the end result is likely to mean little more than 'Brexit existing as name only' – or Beano.
Winners and losers of a Trump tariff on China garments 22 Mar 2018
As President Donald Trump prepares to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports into the United States – which could include apparel and footwear – David Birnbaum takes a look at the potential winners and losers in the global garment trade.
Science of Apparel – a model for the industry of the future 20 Mar 2018
There is a growing trend that indicates the reimagining of the relationship between the customer and supplier – and also the way in which the suppliers and factories are valued, writes Emma Birnbaum. And she believes Science of Apparel sets a new standard for the future.
What’s best for business – Family firms vs public companies 2 Mar 2018
Why are family-run firms prospering while traditional professionally-run multinational corporations are failing? David Birnbaum suggests the best examples of the contrast between the two are to be found within the global garment industry.
Four ways to ensure sustainable fashion is here to stay 16 Feb 2018
With London Fashion Week kicking off today, how can the fashion industry make sure that sustainable fashion is always in season rather than a passing fad?
Gaps remain in India's move towards sustainability 12 Feb 2018
India's textile and garment industry is making strides in ensuring ethical compliance and environmental standards in its factories. Yet gaps still exist, and filling these will be key if it is to reach its full potential, cement long-term relationships with brands, and compete more effectively in Asia.
Financial market 'corrections' – should you worry? 6 Feb 2018
The last 24 hours have seen a wave of sell-offs on global stock markets. Is there cause for concern? Yes, but there is also a need for some perspective and there is no reason to believe that a global economic recession is imminent or inevitable.
Trump goes to Davos as uncertainty abounds 5 Feb 2018
Trump goes to Davos while NAFTA grinds on, the dollar tumbles, and uncertainty reigns. Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc, tries to unravel what it might mean – if anything – for the textile and clothing sector.
Ideals vs Ideology in the apparel industry 31 Jan 2018
In the past, consumers shopped on an item-by-item basis. Today, consumer decisions are based on what conforms to their personal lifestyle goals. Here Emma Birnbaum argues that the ideals on which the new industry is constructed are in danger of devolving into a dogmatic ideology.
Machine learning – The intelligent way to grow margin 29 Jan 2018
Profits and gross margins are under pressure for fashion retailers. But could Artificial Intelligence (AI) hold the key to optimising markdowns and unlocking value in the supply chain? asks Dr Manuel Davy, founder and CEO of Vekia.
Four stages on the road to digital transformation 19 Jan 2018
More businesses are likely to make meaningful progress towards the goal of becoming digital enterprises in 2018. But while digital transformation pushes brands to innovate from the bottom up, change needs to begin at the top.
Trends in US garment imports from Mexico and DR-CAFTA 17 Jan 2018
Negotiators are preparing to meet for the sixth round of NAFTA trade talks next week – and as soon as this deal has been repackaged, the spotlight could turn to the US free trade agreement with Central America. Here, in the first of a series of articles showing month by month changes in US garment imports, David Birnbaum takes a look at Mexico and DR-CAFTA.
Technologies transforming key points of the supply chain 10 Jan 2018
Adopting new technologies has become critical in organisations across all industries to help improve process efficiency, effectiveness, and boost performance. Here are some with the potential to revolutionise key points of the apparel retail supply chain.
The e-commerce revolution yet to come – Comment 10 Jan 2018
It is only a matter of time before the internet will undercut almost every traditional supplier of consumer services and products, writes David Birnbaum, adding: The only survivors will be the few brick & mortar and e-commerce companies that provide real value.
American populism and the global garment industry – Comment 4 Jan 2018
Our industry is undergoing a truly generational change. Do we really want to fight pick a fight with our consumers as well? asks David Birnbaum.
Top interviews on just-style in 2017... 22 Dec 2017
Some of the top interviews on just-style in 2017 were with Dr Arkebe Oqubay, a minister and special advisor to Ethiopia's Prime Minister; Katharine Stewart, Primark's director of ethical trade; Maniwanen Marimutu, chairman of Busana Apparel Group; and John Cheh, vice chairman and CEO of Esquel Group.
How can America lead in isolation? 22 Dec 2017
Trump has embarked on a simple if sometimes poorly executed plan to restrict trade. That's nothing new. What is new, though, are the implications, believes Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc.
Top 20 comment articles on just-style in 2017... 21 Dec 2017
Among the most-read comment articles on just-style in 2017 were a look at the huge potential benefits of 3D CAD, the impact of the Trump administration on the textile and apparel industry, what's driving transparency in the retail supply chain, and strategies to survive in a declining apparel market.
5 key trends in world textile and apparel trade 14 Dec 2017
Based on an analysis of the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) data, this article identifies five key trends in world textile and apparel trade and assesses their future implications.
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