Top stories on Just Style in May include interviews with outgoing International Apparel Federation (IAF) president Han Bekke, and Mango’s head of sourcing Andres Fernandez, and CSR director Beatriz Bayo. We also take a look at how US apparel imports from China almost tripled in March compared to last year, how domestic orders in India’s apparel industry have collapsed amid the country’s second Covid-19 wave, and what Biden’s first 100 days say about his approach to trade.
1. What Biden’s first 100 days say about his approach to trade
Compared with his predecessor Donald Trump, President Joe Biden’s trade policy actions have hit fewer headlines since his inauguration on 20 January 2021. Even so, these policies – along with the actions President Biden did not take – still send out critical signals about his approach to trade, writes Dr Sheng Lu, associate professor in Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware.
2. Singapore’s potential as the go-to for garment professionals
Political events in China and Hong Kong are pushing the global garment industry away from Hong Kong. Singapore has been the great beneficiary – but what’s still needed is the pull of a Singapore Global Garment Institute, writes David Birnbaum.
3. “We’re in this together” – How the IAF rallied round in the crisis
The International Apparel Federation is reaching the end of an era, with one of its longest-serving champions stepping down later this year. Here, outgoing president Han Bekke explains why the IAF’s mission to unite stakeholders across the apparel supply chain is more important now than ever before.
4. New Bangladesh textile hub to boost value-added exports
The Bangladesh clothing industry is looking forward to the completion of five state-of-the-art textile factories at the Korean Export Zone (KEPZ) as an important expansion of local backward linkages.
5. Latest lockdown adds to Cambodia garment sector woes
Cambodia’s latest Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased last week – but many of the capital’s garment factories are still dealing with impacts after a third wave of the virus surged through dozens of factories.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData6. Fixing Fashion follow-on looks at scaling up sustainability
A cross-party group of MPs has continued to probe how the UK fashion industry is implementing initiatives to drive sustainability and improve its social impact – with executives from Primark and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) the latest to take part in the Environmental Audit Committee’s Fixing Fashion session.
7. Mango eyes circular future with new CSR vision
Spanish clothing group Mango is stepping up its sustainability efforts by rolling out a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and focusing on moving to a more circular business model. Head of sourcing Andres Fernandez and CSR director Beatriz Bayo say transparency, collaboration and trust are key to a greener future and building back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.
8. Clothes recycling schemes boost retailers’ sustainability credentials
Clothes recycling options are a low-cost opportunity for retailers to boost their sustainability credentials – especially if put in place alongside other initiatives such as carbon reduction plans and rental schemes.
9. Bangladesh workers most vulnerable to Covid-19 fallout
With Bangladesh’s second lockdown currently underway, new research offers recommendations on how brands and supply chains should respond to ensure the well-being of workers in the country’s garment industry.
10. Sales surge at UK clothing retailers as stores reopen
UK retail sales grew sharply in April as non-essential stores reopened and consumers flocked to the high street, sending sales at clothing retailers surging by almost 70% month-on-month – narrowing the gap with pre-pandemic levels.
11. Covid-19 surge puts India clothing sector on the rack
The ability of India’s clothing industry to serve overseas buyers has been devastated by the country’s ongoing second Covid-19 wave, with a collapse in domestic orders, workers fleeing urban areas and disrupted upstream supplies slashing industry capacity.
12. Opinion: Covid hastens demise of big factories in poor countries
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more regionalised, tech-driven manufacturing that is closer to consumers. For less-developed nations, this spells disaster.
13. Bestseller found to have acted responsibly in Myanmar
An independent investigation into Bestseller’s activities in Myanmar has found the fashion company complied with sanctions and has not cooperated with the military, with the retailer being urged to resume production as a “humanitarian catastrophe” looms.
14. US apparel imports from China soar 174% in March
US apparel imports continued to surge in March as retailers worked to meet increased consumer demand fuelled by federal stimulus checks and money saved by staying home for the best part of a year. Import data is also skewed by comparisons with last March, when the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold. China recorded by far the largest year-on-year growth, with apparel shipments to the US almost tripling.
15. Textile project to make Denmark circular frontrunner
Some of Denmark’s largest fashion and textile players have joined forces in a new recycling technology and circular design project whose ultimate aim is to recycle all textile waste in the country.
16. Marks & Spencer to close 30 stores amid GBP201m loss
UK clothing, homeware and food retailer Marks & Spencer is to close another 30 stores after recording a GBP201m (US$284.6m) loss and a sales decline of almost a third thanks to lockdowns.
17. Avery Dennison debuts digital care label for apparel
Avery Dennison has launched a complete digital care label solution, linked to an app that details how the specific garment was produced and how it should be looked after.
18. Boohoo to partially link bonuses to sustainability progress
UK online fast fashion retailer Boohoo Group has announced 15% of its 2022 executive bonus will be based on Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) improvements – a move that has been hailed by the chairman of the government’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC).
19. New study shows 21m US jobs depend on imports
Eight US business organisations – including those representing apparel and footwear brands, retailers and importers – have released an economic impact study showing that imports support more than 21 million American jobs.
20. PVH to improve nutrition for Bangladesh’s female RMG workers
Apparel giant PVH Corp has embarked on a new partnership to help tackle undernutrition in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry by introducing essential nutrition services and support for working mothers and pregnant women in its suppliers’ factories in Bangladesh.
