Latest apparel and textile comment

If President Donald Trump imposes punitive tariffs on Chinese imports into the United States, David Birnbaum believes the move would simply subsidise every other garment exporting country in the world, in the form of increased orders at higher prices.

From Field to Shelf – Will fast fashion be a trade war casualty? 6 Aug 2018

Robert P Antoshak

The worsening tariff war between the US and China reads like a bad Cold War thriller to Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc. Here he looks at the possible next chapters and their implications on apparel sourcing.

The Flanarant – Why Brexit in name only looks increasingly likely 1 Aug 2018

After the publication of the UK government's Brexit White Paper earlier this month, Mike Flanagan, CEO at consultancy Clothesource, is more convinced than ever that Britain is going to stay in a Single Market with the European Union – and that Brexit will exist as a name only.

President Trump, farmers and the anti-gravity tariff machine 26 Jul 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).

No miracle at midnight on the coming garment tariffs – Comment 26 Jul 2018

China is the target in the upcoming trade war with the US, and Donald Trump's latest threat to impose tariffs on all US$500bn of imported goods from China will undoubtedly hit garments. But replacing China means replacing 37-42% of all US apparel imports – and its deflationary impact on FOB prices, writes David Birnbaum.

re:source – the future of apparel sourcing starts here 23 Jul 2018

Leonie Barrie

What has 26 million rows of data, more than 90+ trade agreements, in-depth profiles of the world’s top 25 garment producing countries, and 20 years of clothing trade data? Answer: the new re:source suite of apparel sourcing tools developed by the team here at just-style. And best of all? It’s now live.

From Field to Shelf – Hold the hysteria on Trump's tariffs 17 Jul 2018

Robert P Antoshak

Over the past few days, the media has covered the current round of tariff retaliations between the US and China as a boxing match, writes Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc. But it’s only round two and for now, at least, calm analysis is what’s needed.

What does the future hold for Made in China? 29 Jun 2018

Doug Miller & Klaus Hohenegger

Trade wars between the US and China are ramping up – but China's role within the global apparel supply chain is already weakening and retailers are increasingly turning to other countries for their clothing needs. So what does the future hold for 'Made in China'?

Who pays for a higher wage for garment factory workers? 28 Jun 2018

Despite ongoing statutory minimum wage rises in a number of countries and their provinces, there continues to be a disconnect between buying departments and compliance teams when it comes to costing labour in price negotiations. So who should pay for a minimum wage increase? Two industry experts share their thoughts.

From Field to Shelf – US cotton just took one for the team 26 Jun 2018

Robert P Antoshak

The price of cotton fell more than 10 cents a pound last week, after getting caught in the crossfire of the the tit-for-tat trade war between the US and China. Writing in his new ‘From Field To Shelf’ column on just-style, Robert Antoshak, managing director at Olah Inc, says Trump just trashed the American cotton industry, and asks: What happens now?

Making your fashion brand more ethical and sustainable 20 Jun 2018

Today's consumers are increasingly concerned their purchases should be inflicting the least possible harm on the environment and societies around the globe. As a consequence, there is more pressure than ever on retailers and brands to reassure responsible consumers their products are made using raw materials from reliable sources.

Faster fashion – How to shorten the apparel calendar 29 May 2018

To get new styles into stores more quickly, fashion companies must improve internal collaboration, tap into consumer insights, and start to digitise the value chain, according to insight from McKinsey.

How buying from Bangladesh can help boost wages 27 Apr 2018

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 that buying more from Bangladesh would be in the interests of US brands and retailers.

Let’s salute Bangladesh’s progress since Rana Plaza 24 Apr 2018

Five years ago, the Rana Plaza catastrophe made Bangladesh notorious – and turned our industry into a pariah. Today, our reaction to the catastrophe has helped Bangladesh become a beacon for how poor countries can pull themselves out of poverty and, in the process, transform human rights and gender equality. All through clothing exports to the West. You will probably never again help achieve anything so extraordinary.

Rana Plaza five years on – A time for reflection 24 Apr 2018

Michelle Russell

As the global garment industry stops to reflect on the tragic events that took place in Bangladesh exactly five years ago today (24 April), it is also a time to consider what has changed, what hasn't – and what still needs to be done. Here we share the views of a number of industry executives and stakeholders on progress so far.

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

Emma Birnbaum

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