Top stories this week on just-style include the European Union (EU) overtaking Japan as the largest importer of garments manufactured in Myanmar, criticism of the progress by big brands in using sustainable cotton, US department store retailer Target Corp pledging to source 100% sustainable cotton by 2022, and how discount/mass-market retailers and suppliers of commodity products can survive in a declining market.
EU overtakes Japan as Myanmar’s largest apparel market
The European Union (EU) has become the largest importer of garments manufactured in Myanmar, purchasing almost as much from the country in 2016 as the next two largest destinations combined, according to trade data.
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Big brand progress on sustainable cotton is insufficient
While leading international retailers C&A, H&M, M&S and Tchibo have joined Swedish furniture giant Ikea as ‘frontrunners’ in using sustainable cotton, big brand progress overall still falls short, according to new research.
Strategies to survive in a declining apparel market
Surviving in a declining market is the biggest challenge for the discount/mass-market retailers and suppliers of commodity products such as basic T-shirts, hoodies or cotton men’s shirts. It’s time to stop negotiating and bring in the engineers.
Target commits to 100% sustainable cotton by 2022
US department store retailer Target Corp has pledged to source 100% sustainable cotton by 2022 for its owned and exclusive apparel brands – and has introduced a new policy to help guide the way.
Myanmar still mulling minimum wage hike
Myanmar is due to finish a review of its national minimum wage in the coming weeks, although with labour unions and factory operators proposing very different figures a delay could be on the cards.
