Rabu, 23 Desember 2020

Clarks, LionRock Capital partnership gets the green light

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UK footwear chain Clarks' proposed partnership with LionRock Capital has been approved by its shareholders.

Partnership to bring verified regenerative wool to fashion brands

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The UK's HD Wool and non-profit the Savory Institute have announced a new partnership to bring Land to Market verified regenerative wool to brands and manufacturers across the global wool trade.

Boohoo cuts ties with Pakistan supplier over pay claims

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UK online fast fashion retailer Boohoo Group has suspended a supplier in Pakistan following an investigation that claimed workers are being paid well below the minimum wage and in "appalling conditions".

US apparel sector calls for proper Vietnam investigation

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The US apparel sector is one of a number of industries calling on the Trump Administration to conduct a proper investigation into Vietnam's recent designation as a currency manipulator by allowing the public to respond.

US apparel firms join call for Biden to rejoin Paris Agreement

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More than 1,000 businesses, including apparel brands such as Nike, Levi Strauss, and The North Face, have signed a statement reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement and pledging to partner with the Biden-Harris Administration to tackle the climate crisis.

Sourcing at Magic team outline 2021 event plans

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Informa Markets Fashion, organiser of fashion trade events including Sourcing at Magic and footwear event MICAM Americas, has outlined its preliminary event schedule for 2021. 

Top 20 comment articles on just-style in 2020...

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The most-read comment articles on just-style in 2020 were dominated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, sustainability issues, Brexit, and how digital technologies can help reshape supply chain sustainability and enhance transparency.

Concerns remain with Mexico labour law reforms

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Mexico has made significant progress in the implementation of its labour law reforms required under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but serious challenges remain, according to a new report.

Top 20 news stories on just-style in 2020...

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In this year-end roundup, we take a look at the top news pieces on just-style in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic dominated coverage, in particular, the impact on factories as retailers moved to cancel orders when governments across the globe forced stores to close as part of measures to curb the virus. Elsewhere, concerns over forced labour in supply chains with links to China's Xinjiang region grew.

N Brown moves to AIM amid GBP100m equity raise

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UK online clothing retailer N Brown has moved to the AIM, the London Stock Exchange's growth market, after completing its GBP100m (US$134.2m) capital raising this morning (23 December). 

MySize to launch online shoe sizing solution

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My Size, whose smartphone-based body measurement technology helps shoppers choose the right sized clothes, has outlined plans for an e-commerce shoe sizing solution to boost consumer confidence in purchasing footwear online.

Top stories on just-style in December...

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Top stories on just-style in December include a look at ten themes that will shape the fashion sector's priorities for the year ahead, an interview with Cüneyt Yavuz, CEO of Turkish denim giant Mavi, and how Adidas is mulling strategic alternatives for Reebok. The month also saw the demise of Bonmarché, the Arcadia Group, and Debenhams, while the owner of UK online fast fashion retailer Boohoo Group said he feels the company is being punished over scrutiny of the Leicester garment supply chain.

Retailers can cut returns with realistic online product displays

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As online penetration in 2021 will remain significantly higher than pre Covid-19 levels, retailers must mitigate the impact of increased online returns through realistic product displays, insightful returns questionnaires, augmented reality (AR) innovations, and meticulous data analysis.

Selasa, 22 Desember 2020

US apparel, retail sectors welcome government stimulus package

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The US retail and apparel industries have welcomed the passage of the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020; one of two bills passed this week providing around US$900bn in funding to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

Systemic problems undermining quest for circular economy

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The circular economy is widely presented as an alternative model of production and consumption, but as businesses strive for sustainability, systemic problems such as poor working conditions, unfair distribution of profits and wasteful consumption patterns will undermine Europe's quest for a fair and truly circular economy, a new report claims.

Browzwear announces open API for digital transformation

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3D design and prototyping software specialist Browzwear has announced the general availability of its API which allows apparel companies working with the firm to manage a completely digital workflow by connecting multiple applications within their existing platforms.

H&M debuts packaging solution to tackle plastic waste

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Swedish fashion retailer H&M has introduced a new multi-brand paper packaging system that it says is reusable and recyclable in a bid to tackle packaging waste.

BCI aims for Better Cotton traceability system by 2022

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The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) sustainability programme is moving forward with plans to launch a new Chain of Custody (CoC) solution that will offer full traceability of its cotton by 2022.

India apparel exporters press for trade pact with UK

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India's Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) is urging the government to move forward on a free trade agreement with the UK, ahead of a planned visit from UK prime minister Boris Johnson early next year.

Top 20 analysis articles on just-style in 2020...

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In this year-end roundup, we take a look at the top analysis pieces on just-style in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic inevitably dominated the coverage, while exploitation in Leicester's garment industry, new manufacturing models, trade, and sourcing trends also featured.

PE Nation picks PLM to boost product development

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Australian athleisure brand PE Nation has invested in a new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to help improve efficiencies by streamlining design, development and production.

Senin, 21 Desember 2020

Online sales surge boosts Nike Q2 earnings

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US sporting giant Nike saw both earnings and sales grow in its second-quarter thanks to a surge in online sales offsetting lower revenues in the group's wholesale business and owned stores.

Boohoo appoints PKF Littlejohn as new auditors

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Boohoo, the UK online fast fashion retailer under pressure over its Leicester supply chain, has appointed new auditors to replace PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) who stepped down in October.

Top interviews on just-style in 2020...

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Among the industry executives who spoke exclusively with just-style in 2020 were Ranjan Mahtani, chairman and CEO at Epic Group; Laura Coppen, circular and sustainable business developer at H&M Group's The Laboratory innovation hub; Hirdaramani group director Nikhil Hirdaramani; and Stanley Szeto, executive chairman of fashion supply chain manager Lever Style.

Latest lockdown raises concerns for survival of UK retailers

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Clothing retailers in parts of the UK have been dealt a devastating blow in the run-up to Christmas as the government announced new Tier-4 restrictions that will see non-essential retail closed, a move which experts estimate will cost them GBP2bn (U$2.66bn) in sales per week.

GBP23.1m sale agreed for Arcadia Group's Evans brand

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Arcadia Group's plus-size brand Evans is to be acquired by global omnichannel retailer City Chic Collective Limited for GBP23.1m (US$30.7m).

Online sales surge boosts Nike Q3 earnings

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US sporting giant Nike saw both earnings and sales grow in its second-quarter thanks to a surge in online sales offsetting lower revenues in the group's wholesale business and owned stores.

World merchandise trade rebounds in third-quarter

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World merchandise trade volumes bounced back in the third quarter of the year from a deep second quarter slump brought on by the Covid-19 crisis, according to new figures from the World Trade Organization (WTO).

EU urged to invest in circularity, digitisation to boost economic recovery

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The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) is urging the European Union to work on "critical areas" including a circular economy, digitisation and a level playing field as economic data suggest signs of recovery are slowing. 

Messe Frankfurt France to host February sourcing event

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Messe Frankfurt France, the organiser of international textile fairs for the fashion industry, has outlined details of a new event that will allow buyers and designers to explore offers from a selected number of exhibitors from Apparel Sourcing, Avantex, Leatherworld, and Texworld Paris.

Nordstrom supply chain boss to join executive team

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Nordstrom's supply chain chief Alexis DePree will become the newest member of its executive team next month as the upscale US department store operator says supply chain plays an increasingly critical role in serving consumers both in-store and online and is a core enabler of its market strategy. 

The Better Cotton Initiative launches in Greece

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The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that the Greek AGRO-2 Integrated Management Standards have been successfully benchmarked as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard System.

Jumat, 18 Desember 2020

UK clothing sales fall furthest in November

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Six consecutive months of growth within the retail sector came to an end in November, with clothing retailers reporting the sharpest decline in sales volumes.

Zalando shares first sustainability data from partner brands assessment

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German fashion e-tailer Zalando is sharing the first insights from its sustainability brand assessment conducted in partnership with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and Higg Co, with the results showing partner brands are performing better in the social and human rights sections than in the environmental sections. 

Pandemic hits orders in Haiti but potential in PPE spotted

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Clothing manufacturers in Haiti have revealed they expect at least a 30% loss in revenues as a result of the Covid pandemic, but the same study shows there is significant opportunity in the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), which could attract new investment and save thousands of jobs.

Dutch AGT members increase sustainable raw material use

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The share of sustainable materials used by members of the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile (AGT) has jumped to 38% in 2019.

Fashion Enter nets funding to secure Welsh factory

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Training and technical skills provider Fashion Enter has secured GBP250,000 (US$339,797) to help safeguard and protect all jobs during its expansion programme which includes opening a new factory in Newtown, Wales.

Crystal Vietnam knits factory gains green building certification

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Hong Kong-based manufacturing giant Crystal International Group has been granted EDGE green building certification for its newly designed Vietnam knits factory, Regent Garment Factory Limited.

Bestseller pilots two circularity projects in Bangladesh

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Danish fashion retailer Bestseller is piloting two major circularity projects in Bangladesh, one of which supports utilisation of its own textile cutting scraps, creating a valuable closed-loop system in a fully transparent supply chain.

Asics latest to join the Fashion Pact

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Sportswear firm Asics says it has become the first Japanese company to join the Fashion Pact, a global environmental initiative focusing on the fashion industry. 

True Tribe new garment line offers full traceability

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Sustainable activewear brand True Tribe has launched its first line with full supply chain transparency thanks to the use of blockchain.

Top stories this week on just-style...

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Top stories on just-style this week include a comparative ranking of the purchasing practices of fashion brands and retailers in Australia, and how US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is being urged to issue a region-wide ban on cotton imports from the entire Uyghur Region. This week has also seen wet processing identified as the weak link in fashion supply chains, and Adidas confirm it is exploring strategic alternatives for Reebok.

Kamis, 17 Desember 2020

Worn Again scales up closed-loop recycling process

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A closed-loop textile recycling process that converts end of use textiles back into virgin-like raw materials is preparing to set up a demonstration plant and scale-up with a planned output of 1,000 tonnes a year.

Boohoo owner "feels punished" over Leicester scrutiny

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The owner of UK online fast fashion retailer Boohoo Group has told an audit committee he feels the company is being punished over scrutiny of the Leicester garment supply chain and that he could easily take business off-shore but vowed the company is committed to "making things better".

Vaude eliminates chemicals of concern in manufacturing

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Outdoor clothing company Vaude has succeeded in eliminating seven chemicals of concern from its manufacturing processes, including controversial PFCs, by its deadline of 2020 year-end. 

Outdoor specialist Haglofs picks PLM to scale business

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Swedish outdoor clothing, footwear and hardware specialist Haglöfs has invested in a new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

Sales at US clothing retailers remain in the doldrums

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November US retail sales dipped from the month prior but still showed the sixth consecutive monthly year-over-year gain, setting the stage for a healthy holiday shopping season despite the pandemic, but demand for apparel continued to wane.

Brokering a Brexit deal is all UK fashion firms want this Christmas

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As the UK tries to hash out the final terms of its divorce from the European Union (EU), the thought of Prime Minister Boris Johnson walking away without a deal is a worrying one; UK textile and fashion firms should now be weighing up other markets to potentially trade with.

UK firms with Xinjiang links warned forced labour evidence is "credible"

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UK politicians have urged businesses that have parts of their supply chain in China's Xinjiang region to conduct the appropriate due diligence to satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to support, any human rights violations or abuses, as the government was told evidence of forced labour within the region and other parts of China is "credible".

Data-exchange network to close fashion circular economy gap

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Internet of Things platform Eon has launched what it claims is the industry's first global partner network to build connected systems for the circular economy across fashion retail by allowing brands and retailers to track their products and tap into circular business models such as recommerce and recycling.

UK fashion projects secure GBP2m innovation boost

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Future Fashion Factory has secured more than GBP2m in funding (US$2.7m) for innovation in the fashion and textile industry to support projects including a vegan, petroleum, and freshwater-free alternative to down or polyester and a closed-loop footwear manufacturing model developed by Vivobarefoot.

Rabu, 16 Desember 2020

Wet processing the weak link in fashion supply chains

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Wet processing - which involves bleaching, dyeing and printing fabrics - is the weak link in reducing the environmental impact of fashion supply chains, according to a new report that has examined the financial risks arising from the extensive use and misuse of water in clothing production.

New guidebook on how to clean up wet processing

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A new handbook has been launched to help clothing and textile companies to reduce the use of water, energy and harmful chemicals during the wet processing stage.

European fashion companies below par on sustainability work

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Only three out of 100 European fashion brands - Patagonia, The North Face, and Levi's - are on their way to a sustainable business model, according to a new survey, which found most of the remaining brands all achieved "abysmal" scores.

Clothing discounting pushed inflation down in November

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Increased clothing discounting due to the UK's lockdown measures resulted in the largest downward contribution to inflation in November, new figures show.

BGMEA initiative sets out garment worker pledges

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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched a new initiative - Go Human, Go Green - containing seven pledges aimed at improving the livelihood of garment workers and the environment.

Organic textile powerhouses team to bolster strength

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Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is to partner with the UK Organic Trade Board (OTB), which will increase awareness of GOTS in the UK and strengthen their mutual offering.

Pangaia invests in material science company Kintra Fibers

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Direct-to-consumer materials science brand Pangaia has invested in Kintra Fibers, a material science company that makes high-performance, 100% bio-based, and compostable yarns for the fashion and apparel industry.

Superdry makes Dunkerton CEO appointment permanent

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UK fashion retailer Superdry has strengthened its executive management team with the appointment of Julian Dunkerton as CEO on a permanent basis, and Silvana Bonello as chief operating officer.

Sedex and Higg Co collaborate to cut audit fatigue

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Access to the Higg facility environmental assessment is being expanded to members of the Sedex responsible sourcing organisation as part of a wider collaboration to share and integrate their social and environmental sustainability data.

Australia to amplify efforts to tackle modern slavery in textiles

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The Australian government has pledged to ramp up its efforts to prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute modern slavery crimes after acknowledging risks in its own supply chains - including textiles.

Selasa, 15 Desember 2020

Uyghur forced labour in cotton more widespread than believed

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US Customs & Border Protection is being urged to issue a region-wide ban on cotton imports from East Turkistan after a report revealed upward of half a million people in Uyghur regions were forced to pick cotton through the government's coercive labour training and transfer scheme.

Jockey India partner factory re-certified by WRAP after probe

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The Indian licensee of Jockey International and Speedo has had a factory re-certified by US-based Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) following the outcome of a probe after allegations of human rights abuses.

Serai tool allows apparel firms to mitigate trade credit risk

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HSBC's invitation-only apparel trade platform Serai is offering its members access to risk information and monitoring services through insurance firm Coface, enabling them to identify, monitor and mitigate counterparty risk.

JD Sports bolsters US presence with $325m Shoe Palace purchase

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JD Sports Fashion Plc has acquired US footwear retailer Shoe Palace Corporation in a US$325m deal that significantly increases its presence on the West Coast of the United States.

Inditex confident as Q3 shows strong recovery

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Inditex, the owner of the Zara and Bershka brands, says it remains confident in its long-term strategy after its third-quarter showed a strong recovery in operations and earnings of EUR866m (US$1.05bn).

Stahl adopts blockchain for improved transparency

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Leather chemicals and coatings company Stahl has engaged blockchain group Finboot to supply its blockchain middleware solution Marco, enabling the company to improve the way it shares and verifies products' sustainability credentials with brands.

US to continue polyester antidumping probe

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The US Department of Commerce is to press forward with an investigation of imports of polyester textured yarn from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, after initial investigations revealed it is being sold at less than fair value. 

Tchibo sets out animal welfare policy for materials

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German retailer Tchibo has published an 'Animal Welfare Policy' that sets out the company's stance and standards for all animal materials in its entire product range.

BGMEA signs MoU for garment innovation centre

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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has signed an MoU with machinery and equipment firm Aamra Resources for the opening of a centre of innovation aimed at increasing the sector's competitiveness.

First ten US mills sign up to Cotton Trust Protocol

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The US Cotton Trust Protocol has welcomed its first ten American cotton textile manufacturers, including Frontier Yarns and Parkdale Inc.

New vegan product certification for apparel and footwear

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Testing and audit services provider TÜV SÜD has launched a vegan product certification for apparel, footwear and home textiles. 

H&M pays the price for being a digital laggard

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The improvement in H&M's global sales performance in the third quarter continued into the final three months, with sales from 1 September to 21 October only falling 3% in local currencies.

N Brown receives shareholder support to raise GBP100m

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UK online clothing retailer N Brown has secured the support of shareholders for its plans to raise GBP100m (US$133m).

Senin, 14 Desember 2020

UK signs Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya

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The UK has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya, in a move that will ensure Kenyan exports can continue to access the UK market duty-free following the end of the Brexit transition period.

Arc'teryx to certify 80% of products Fair Trade by 2025

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Canadian design company Arc'teryx, which specialises in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment, will convert three manufacturing facilities in Vietnam to be Fair Trade Certified in 2021.

Vietnam eyes US$55bn in clothing exports by 2025

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Vietnam's garment sector has set a US$55bn target for exports by 2025, but orders are expected to be lower over the next year as the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

Verofax and Auri partner on blockchain traceability app

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Blockchain provider Verofax Asia has teamed with Malaysian lifestyle brand Auri to develop a traceability app for sustainable product validation for fashion and lifestyle product suppliers.

Adidas confirms weighing options for Reebok

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Adidas today (14 December) said it is exploring strategic alternatives for Reebok, which could involve a sale of the brand - confirming speculation that began at the end of November.

Australian retailers called out for poor purchasing practices

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Research into the purchasing practices of fashion brands and retailers in Australia has found a disconnect between their own ratings and those of their supplier factories - suggesting an ongoing failure to understand the impact their decisions have on garment manufacturers and workers.

M&S to double down on sustainability with Plan A relaunch

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Retailer Marks & Spencer is relaunching its Plan A eco and ethical programme, saying the time has come to reinvigorate the initiative and return it to the "centre of the customer story."

Maksons invests US$111m in new Bangladesh factories

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Bangladesh textile maker Maksons Group is investing US$111m to set up three industrial units that will allow it to expand production of garments for export.

VF Corporation enhances focus on human rights

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VF Corp, the owner of brands including Vans and The North Face, has formally endorsed the United Nationals Global Compact and Women's Empowerment Principles, which it says will continue its support of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. 

Fashion brands still lag on responsible viscose sourcing

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Despite efforts by the world's leading viscose manufacturers to move towards more responsible production, most fashion brands have made few or no commitments to clean up their viscose supply chains, according to new research.

Jumat, 11 Desember 2020

Lululemon Athletica bounces back with stunning Q3

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While a V-shaped recovery may not be materialising for most of apparel retail, Lululemon Athletica has bounced back from the weak start to its year with a stunning set of third quarter numbers. 

H&M Group's new membership brand to sell clothing at cost

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Apparel giant H&M Group has soft-launched a new membership-based brand that sells apparel and home products at the price they cost to make.

Fashion brands still lag on responsible viscose sourcing

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Despite efforts by the world's leading viscose manufacturers to move towards more responsible production, most fashion brands have made few or no commitments to clean up their viscose supply chains, according to new research.

French Connection secures $6.5m funding for US business

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Fashion retailer French Connection Group has secured US$6.5m of additional funding for its US business, and says trade at stores that have reopened since the second lockdown in England and Wales has been "encouraging."

Research to turn cotton into new raw materials

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A research collaboration between Cotton Incorporated and North Carolina State University is underway to see whether post-consumer cotton textiles can be transformed into the building blocks for new products.

Training for Bangladesh factories on Covid-safe operation

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The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is partnering with digital training supplier Quizrr to help 20 Bangladesh garment factories supplying retailers including Primark, New Look and Marks & Spencer, to operate in a Covid-safe way.

Top stories this week on just-style...

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Top stories on just-style this week include a look at why the Arcadia Group collapsed, and how garment workers across the supply chains of major brands and retailers are going hungry amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This week has also seen the European Union and Germany pledge EUR113m (US$136.6m) to help the Bangladesh government support vulnerable garment workers, and VF Corp has opened its first multi-brand store.

Westmoor picks PLM to modernise processes

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Westmoor Manufacturing, a Western wear maker of brands such as Panhandle, Rock & Roll Denim and Powder River, has invested in a new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to help improve efficiencies and standardise processes.

Industry groups praise Biden's pick for US Trade Representative

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Plans by President-elect Joe Biden to nominate Katherine Tai as US Trade Representative have been welcomed by groups representing US apparel and textile retailers, importers and manufacturers.

US companies join calls for Miscellaneous Tariff Bill renewal

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More than 200 US-based companies and organisations, including Patagonia and Wolverine Worldwide, are calling for the inclusion of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) in the upcoming omnibus spending package.

Recover to scale recycled cotton fibre production

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A US-based company that recycles cotton waste into premium cotton fibre and cotton fibre blends has secured funding that will allow it to increase production to 200,000 metric tons of recycled cotton fibre per year by 2025.

Kamis, 10 Desember 2020

EU provides EUR113m to support Bangladesh garment workers

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The European Union (EU) and Germany are to provide EUR113m (US$136.6m) to help the Bangladesh government support vulnerable workers in the country's garment and leather export industries.

Bangladesh urges investment in light engineering

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Bangladesh is appealing for investment in light engineering as it looks to move its garment sector into value-added production through reskilling its labour force.

Cone Denim makes strides on 80% sustainable cotton goal

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US-based Cone Denim has become one of the first denim partners to the US Cotton Trust Protocol in a move that aligns with its commitment to source 80% verifiably sustainable cotton by 2025.

Garment workers going hungry amid Covid-19 pandemic

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Garment workers across the supply chains of major brands and retailers are reporting growing hunger and food insecurity as a result of falling income and job losses amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report has found.

Digital strategy pays off as Frasers Group records H1 profit jump

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Frasers Group, the owner of brands including House of Fraser, Sports Direct and Flannels has booked a 17.6% jump in profits before tax for the first half of fiscal 2021, despite a fall in sales linked to lockdown store closures.

US retail imports still strong after record holiday season

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Imports at major US retail container ports remain strong after setting new records this autumn as retailers stocked up both stores and warehouses for the holiday season and met new demands for quick delivery of online orders.

Eurofins expands textiles and footwear testing in China

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Eurofins has expanded its testing capabilities after two facilities in China were awarded new accreditations.

M&S set to benefit from Debenhams store closures

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The demise of Debenhams was inevitable after its underinvestment, lacklustre ranges and uninspiring stores caused it to lose relevance among consumers in recent years - but the news of its collapse has still come as a huge blow to the retail industry.

Kevingston builds just-in-time digital printing production model

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Argentina-based garment manufacturer and retailer Kevingston is building an efficient just-in-time direct-to-garment (DTG) production model, with a focus on expanding its catalogue and minimising overstock.

Rabu, 09 Desember 2020

US apparel imports from China rebound in October

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The volume of US apparel imports continued its upward trajectory in October, both on a monthly and year-on-year basis, as retailers continued to recover from the pandemic lockdown and began to stock up for the holiday season. While shipment volumes from China were down on those a month earlier, the sourcing powerhouse saw exports to the US increase on a year-on-year basis for the first time in 14 months.

Lever Style adds denim to its line-up with latest acquisition

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Hong Kong listed fashion supply chain manager Lever Style Corporation is adding to its product capabilities with its third acquisition this year.

HKRITA and H&M Foundation further sustainable technology drive

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The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKRITA) has entered into a five-year collaboration plan with the H&M Foundation to drive the sustainable development of the fashion and textile industry through research into technology enhancements.

China sees US apparel imports rebound in October

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The volume of US apparel imports continued its upward trajectory in October, both on a monthly and year-on-year basis, as retailers continued to recover from the pandemic lockdown and began to stock up for the holiday season. While shipment volumes from China were down on those a month earlier, the sourcing powerhouse saw exports to the US increase on a year-on-year basis for the first time in 14 months.

HKRITA and H&M Foundation partner to drive sustainable technology

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The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKRITA) has entered into a five-year collaboration plan with the H&M Foundation to drive the sustainable development of the fashion and textile industry through research into technology enhancements.

US textile sector welcomes defence bill passage

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The US textile industry has welcomed the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will support tens of thousands of jobs in the country's textile sector.

US groups urge GSP trade scheme renewal before year-end

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Apparel industry groups have joined more than 284 companies and trade associations calling for an extension to the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) duty-free programme.

Apparel companies recognised for environmental leadership

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Clothing companies including Fast Retailing, Hanesbrands, H&M Hennes & Mauritz and Levi Strauss & Co are among businesses that have made it onto an annual list of environmental leaders.

CEO and founder of Global Fashion Agenda to step down

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Global Fashion Agenda CEO Eva Kruse is to step down from her role next year after leading the forum for 15 years. 

Tesco finalises sale of Thai and Malaysian businesses

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UK supermarket chain Tesco Plc expects to complete the US$10.6bn sale of its businesses in Thailand and Malaysia next week in a move it says will enable a stronger focus on its retail businesses across Europe. 

Burberry pilot to donate leftover fabric to fashion students

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British luxury clothing and accessories brand Burberry has launched a new pilot programme to donate leftover fabrics to fashion students most in need across the UK as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting creative communities.

CLO 3D garment design software integrates with FlexPLM

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Users of the CLO Virtual Fashion 3D garment simulation technology and PTC's FlexPLM platform are now able to share product information directly between the two solutions, helping to speed the end-to-end digital workflow.

Browzwear adds Archroma colour library to VStitcher and Lotta

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3D design and prototyping software specialist Browzwear's VStitcher and Lotta platforms now feature the 4,320 colour references of Archroma's Color Atlas library to help accelerate the process from creative idea to production.

Selasa, 08 Desember 2020

New blockchain tool traces materials from source to importer

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A new blockchain-based supply chain traceability solution has been launched to help brands and retailers document the chain of custody from cotton source to importer.

Circular fashion economy could be US$5trn opportunity

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A circular fashion economy could be a US$5trn opportunity according to a new report if it centred on the reuse and recycling of all materials, elimination of waste and pollution and environmental regeneration.

New tool traces materials from source to importer

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A new blockchain-based supply chain traceability solution has been launched to help brands and retailers document the chain of custody from cotton source to importer.

The Flanarant - Arcadia collapse: What went wrong?

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Everyone knows why Arcadia collapsed. But there are a lot of confused - often downright wrong - ideas about what helped push it over the edge, says Mike Flanagan, CEO of apparel industry consultancy Clothesource. And stop blaming Amazon, he adds. 

Gap advances on goal of 100% sustainable cotton

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US specialty apparel retailer Gap Inc has joined both the US Cotton Trust Protocol and Textile Exchange's 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge to help speed efforts to source 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.

Joules optimistic despite sales and margin hit

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British clothing retailer Joules has offered an optimistic outlook, despite store closures and discounting hitting sales and margins in its latest trading period.

HeiQ eyes larger market share as public firm

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Swiss textile materials technology innovator HeiQ has publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange today (8 December).

US trade deficit in goods rises by 1.7% in October

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The US trade deficit in goods and services rose by 1.7% in October from a month earlier, reflecting an increase in the goods deficit of US$0.6bn and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.4bn.

JCPenney exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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JCPenney has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after completing the sale of its retail and operating assets to Brookfield Asset Management and Simon Property Group.

Fashion for Good grows presence across South Asia

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Global sustainable fashion initiative Fashion for Good has expanded its presence across South Asia in the last year, including welcoming Birla Cellulose as an innovation partner, with plans to focus on scaling new technologies going forward.

Desigual chooses software for supply chain resilience

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Spanish fashion brand Desigual has partnered with enterprise blockchain group Finboot to integrate its Marco Track & Trace application within its import and export process to improve transparency and build resiliency in its supply chain.

Crystal International latest to join Jeans Redesign

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Hong Kong-based manufacturing giant Crystal International Group has joined the Jeans Redesign project for denim circularity and will be using its guidelines to make jeans that meet minimum requirements for durability, material health, recyclability, and traceability.

Sodra hits milestone with dissolving pulp technology

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Sweden's largest forest owner association Södra has hit a new milestone with its OnceMore dissolving pulp technology, reaching 20% recycled content.

Senin, 07 Desember 2020

Demand for biomaterial innovations exceeding supply

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The demand for new biomaterial innovations in the apparel industry far exceeds supply, a new report has found, which suggests the adoption of a shared language and collaborative tools for transparency will boost growth in this field.

VF Corp opens first multi-brand retail store

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Apparel giant VF Corp has opened its first multi-brand store in a move aimed at creating a new approach to retail and furthering its strategy to become more consumer-minded, retail-centric, and hyper-digital. 

China's JD.com "first" to accept digital Yuan

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Chinese e-commerce company JD.com Inc has reportedly become the country's first virtual platform to accept Beijing's homegrown digital currency.

Shareholder of Hong-Kong's I.T moves to privatise retailer

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The majority shareholder of Hong Kong apparel retailer, I.T., has teamed up with a private equity fund to privatise the retailer after it suffered mounting losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Frasers Group in last-ditch attempt to rescue Debenhams

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Frasers Group has made a last-ditch attempt to rescue Debenhams days after was announced the chain would start winding down operations as it prepares for a liquidation process in the new year.

Francesca's files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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US clothing retailer Francesca's Holdings has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and inked a letter of intent to sell its business to investment firm TerraMar Capital.

Ritter to step down as Zalando co-CEO

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Zalando co-CEO Rubin Ritter is to step down from the role next year after 11 years with the firm. 

Ted Baker losses widen as H1 sales slump

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UK high street fashion chain Ted Baker saw its losses widen in the first half of the year and sales slump as the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions took their toll.

John Lewis halts global expansion plans

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John Lewis has shelved plans to expand internationally.

Jumat, 04 Desember 2020

Researchers make the business case for sustainability investments

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New research has identified eight sustainability strategies that apparel companies are using to positively impact their financial performance and drive better outcomes for the environment and society.

Stadium picks PLM to boost product development

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Swedish multi-category sportswear retailer Stadium has invested in a new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to optimise product development processes across several product categories including footwear and apparel.

German sustainable textiles scheme shares supplier list

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The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles is to contribute to the Open Apparel Registry (OAR) database of garment production facilities by publishing its members' supplier lists on the platform.

Primark faces GBP430m sales hit from recent lockdowns

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Value fashion retailer Primark expects to have lost GBP430m (US$578.6m) in sales during the recent lockdown across the UK - but says all orders placed with its suppliers have been honoured.

Peacocks receives management buyout bid

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Administrators of fashion retailer Peacocks have received a management buy-out (MBO) proposal that could prevent UK-wide store closures and save 4,908 jobs. 

US textile sector outlines Biden administration wishlist

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The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has outlined steps that President-elect Joe Biden's administration and a new Congress could take to bolster the US manufacturing sector. 

Biodiversity Benchmark tool to guide raw material choices

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A new Biodiversity Benchmark tool has launched to help the fashion and textile industry understand - and improve - the impacts its raw material choices have on nature.

China and casualwear cushion the blow for PVH

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PVH Corporation saw performance improve across the board throughout Q3 FY2020, with all markets and channels bearing growth on Q2, thanks to the easing of Covid-19 lockdowns and online demand yielding a 36% increase in digital revenue.

Top stories this week on just-style...

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Top stories on just-style this week include a look at ten themes that will shape the fashion sector's priorities for the year ahead, and how the US has enforced a new order that detains the entry of cotton and cotton products produced by China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). This week has also seen the demise of Debenhams and Arcadia, which owns the Topshop and Dorothy Perkins brands, while manufacturing activity in China continues to surge.

Kamis, 03 Desember 2020

Bangladesh sees largest drop in minimum wage since 2010

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The largest decreases in real minimum wages over the last nine years were in the garment producing countries of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a new study has found, which emphasises the effects of the pandemic on wages and its disproportionate effect on women and low-paid workers.

ETI supports call to action on Xinjiang human rights abuses

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The Ethical Trade Initiative has announced its support for a call to action on human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Uyghur Region) in the apparel and textiles sector.

Hyosung expands Turkey and Brazil spandex facilities

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South Korean fibre giant Hyosung is expanding its Creora spandex manufacturing facilities in Araquari, Brazil and in the Cerkezkoy area of Turkey in order to better serve apparel brands who rely on South American and European-made textiles for performance materials.

Stein Mart to relaunch as online-only retailer following $6m takeover

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Stein Mart is to relaunch as an online-only retailer early next year after being snapped up by Dressbarn-owner Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV) at a bankruptcy court auction for US$6.02m.

Covid challenges US holiday sales forecasts

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Forecasting US holiday sales this year has been more challenging than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic presenting unique circumstances for the economy, a chief economist has said.

Centric's latest PLM launch uses social and 3D innovations

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Centric Software has released the latest iteration of its flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution, which introduces "industry-first" Slack integration and new 3D innovations to connect people and products.

China manufacturing activity hits 10-year high in November

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Manufacturing activity in China continues to surge, reaching a decade high in November as the country continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. But rising demand is also contributing to an uptick in input costs and output charges, a new survey shows.

Time's up for US firms to cut ties to major Xinjiang cotton producer - Update

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US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially enforced a new withhold release order that detains the entry of cotton and cotton products produced by China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and its subordinate and affiliated entities as well as textile and apparel products made using that cotton, even if they are made in third party countries.

Rabu, 02 Desember 2020

Time's up for US firms to cut ties to major Xinjiang cotton producer

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The deadline has passed for US firms to comply with human rights sanctions and break supply chain ties to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and its subsidiaries or risk being blacklisted and fined.

Bonmarche latest victim of high street crash

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UK-based women's value clothing retailer Bonmarché has fallen into administration for the second time in just over a year, leaving more than 1,500 jobs at risk.

Brazilian fashion brands falling short on supply chain transparency

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Only five of 40 brands recently surveyed by the Fashion Transparency Index in Brazil disclosed their policies on payment of suppliers, and three published the percentage of payment of suppliers made on time and according to the agreed terms, showing fashion brands in the country are falling short when it comes to supply chain transparency.

Significant barriers to transparency in Bangladesh RMG sector remain

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A study into transparency in Bangladesh's apparel industry has found that while local and global initiatives are making progress, brands, manufacturers, and workers alike are facing significant barriers to achieving more transparency in their sectors.

Caleres announces leadership shakeup

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US footwear company Caleres has announced strategic changes to its organisational and leadership structure, which see Jay Schmidt named president, and Willis Hill appointed to lead the digital business acceleration team.

Timberland improves supply chain transparency in Q3

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Global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland says all of its suppliers met or exceeded its social, labour and environmental expectations in the third quarter and it has now published full supply chain transparency footprint maps on 42 of its most iconic products.

10 trends set to shape the fashion industry in 2021

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The Covid-19 crisis has decimated the global fashion industry and its supply chains - and its impact is likely to weigh on the sector until at least 2022, according to a new report. With recovery set to take time and different paths in all regions, here are ten themes that will shape priorities for the year ahead.

Covid crisis upticks child labour risk in India and Nepal

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Informal workers in India and Nepal's apparel supply chains have suffered extreme hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report, which calls for new standards to ensure rights for the most marginalised and promote improved sustainability.

Lower global cotton production to ease pressure on prices

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A projected reduction in global cotton production in the 2020/21 season is expected to ease pressure on prices due to lower year-ending stocks.

Tailored Brands emerges from Chapter 11

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US menswear retailer Tailored Brands, owner of the Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G, has emerged from Chapter 11 protection having completed its financial restructuring.

The BHive partners on ZDHC chemicals management

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The ability to manage chemical inputs in the textile and footwear industries is taking another step forward with a new collaboration that sees the BHive chemicals management platform become an approved solution provider for ZDHC's Performance InCheck benchmarking tool. 

Selasa, 01 Desember 2020

Arcadia Group collapses into administration

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British retail tycoon Phillip Green's Arcadia Group has collapsed into administration with 13,000 jobs now at risk.

Debenhams to begin wind-down of UK operations

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UK department store chain Debenhams is to begin a wind-down of its operations after JD Sports Fashion, Britain's largest sportswear retailer, ended rescue talks this week and administrators failed to find an alternative buyer for the business.

Bangladesh sees value in textile waste through new partnership

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Bangladesh's garment industry says it has the potential to become global leaders in the circular economy as it embarks on a new partnership aimed at tackling the country's textile waste problem.

Blockchain pilot to verify sustainable viscose fibres

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A new pilot project will utilise blockchain technology to trace the origins of viscose used in garments provided by Danish fashion retailer Bestseller and luxury goods group Kering as part of a wider bid to verify sustainable viscose fibres along the fashion supply chain.

Swiss vote against supply chain due diligence legislation

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Voters in Switzerland have moved to reject a proposal that would have held businesses liable for human rights and environmental violations in their supply chain operations.

Jaeger and Peacocks buyers must focus on digital developments

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While the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has reportedly received interest from several potential buyers for both Peacocks and Jaeger since they fell into administration, the sale process is only the first hurdle that these players have to overcome in order to survive in the long-term. 

India's garment sector must look to future trends and sustainability

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India's textile and garment industry must look to future trends, tap into the needs of the market and work with a more sustainable approach if it is to emerge more strongly from the pandemic, the organiser of the country's leading textile exhibition has said.

Arcadia Group collapses into administration

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British retail tycoon Phillip Green's Arcadia Group has collapsed into administration with 13,000 jobs now at risk.

Top stories on just-style in November...

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Top stories on just-style in November include a look at what the new Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact means for the apparel sector, an interview with Vivek Ramachandran, CEO of HSBC's new apparel business-to-business platform Serai, and how a new textile-to-textile recycling process brings the industry closer to a closed loop for clothing. Elsewere, TAL Apparel has re-engineered the face mask, and VF Corp has revealed plans to acquire Supreme in a US$2.1bn deal.

Charting a course for change on purchasing practices

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J The issue of poor purchasing practices has dogged the global apparel industry for two decades. Yet rather than getti...