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How KiK is raising the bar on working conditions – Interview 11 Apr 2017

Leonie Barrie

After garments made for KiK were found at each of the factories involved in the apparel industry’s biggest tragedies, the low-cost German clothing chain is on a mission to raise the bar on working conditions within its supply chain. Recent developments include legally binding audits at supplier factories, and the extension of building safety assessments to Pakistan, as Ansgar Lohmann, head of KiK’s Corporate Social Responsibility department, explains.

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The "power of the many" drives change at Otto Group – Interview 22 Feb 2017

Beth Wright

With pressure mounting on apparel brands and retailers to give more weight to sustainability and social responsibility in their sourcing decisions, Andreas Streubig, sustainability division manager at German mail order and e-commerce giant Otto Group, is convinced that collaboration and the "power of the many" is key to driving lasting change.

Flax and recycled clothing have lowest MMCF environmental footprint 23 Oct 17

Beth Wright

Fibres sourced from flax and recycled clothing have a lighter environmental footprint with man-made cellulose fibre (MMCF) made from Belgian flax, the most favourable across a majority of the impact categories, according to a new report.

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Under Armour launches first subscription service 23 Oct 17

Beth Wright

US sportswear brand Under Armour has become the latest apparel retailer to launch an online subscription service that sees its customers sent boxes of handpicked items, customised to their specific training needs and personal style.

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Storch to step down as Hudson's Bay CEO 23 Oct 17

Beth Wright

Jerry Storch, CEO of Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), is to step down from the company in order to return to his advisory firm, Storch Advisors

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UK consumer confidence rallies amid inflation concerns 23 Oct 17

Michelle Russell

UK consumer confidence has shown a recovery after three continuous quarters of decline, new figures reveal, but personal debt and disposable income are causing concern amid rising inflation.

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Aldo and Camuto call off footwear and accessories merger 23 Oct 17

Beth Wright

Montreal-based Aldo Group has called off its plans to acquire Camuto Group's footwear and accessories businesses in a move it says was a mutual decision after "careful consideration and thoughtful discussion".

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US Q3 in brief – VF Corp, Skechers, Levi Strauss 23 Oct 17

just-style

In the most recent third-quarter filings from US apparel and footwear brands and retailers, jeans giant Levi Strauss & Co has raised its full-year revenue growth guidance despite a 10.5% drop in earnings,  casual footwear brand Skechers set a new quarterly sales record and booked a 41.8% profit hike, while US apparel giant VF Corporation hailed "strong" third-quarter results, despite a drop in profit.

Trump trade probe could have costs for cotton 16 Oct 17

Leonie Barrie

An International Trade Commission hearing got underway last week as part of the Trump administration's probe into China's intellectual property practices under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. The action gives the president broad authority to impose tariffs on foreign goods – and, as we investigate, could hold dire consequences for US cotton producers.

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Stop negotiating and bring in the engineers 9 Oct 17

Leonie Barrie

Surviving in a declining market is the biggest challenge for discount/mass-market retailers and suppliers of commodity products such as basic T-shirts, hoodies or cotton men's shirts – which is why it’s time to stop negotiating and bring in the engineers.