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The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) celebrated its 47th Foundation Day at Apparel House, Gurugram, with senior officials and staff. The event featured a lamp-lighting ceremony and cake-cutting.
Chairman Sudhir Sekhri highlighted AEPC’s role in advocating for the apparel industry, stating, “AEPC’s 47-year journey reflects its commitment to protecting and promoting exporters.” He credited government initiatives and AEPC’s efforts for the 11.6 per cent growth in apparel exports from April 2024 to January 2025, despite global challenges.
AEPC Secretary General Mithileshwar Thakur noted strong export growth in key markets -13.8 per cent in the USA, 8.9 per cent in the UK, 10.6 per cent in Germany, and 19.7 per cent in Spain. Gains were also seen in FTA partner countries, including South Korea, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, and the UAE.
AEPC expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for supporting the garment industry. Key initiatives like PM MITRA, PLI, RoSCTL extension, and targeted FTAs are expected to drive further growth.
Government steps, including the Export Promotion Mission, Bharat-Trade-Net for export documentation, enhanced credit support for MSMEs, and national skilling centres, will boost the sector’s momentum.
Looking ahead, AEPC aims to expand Indian apparel exports by entering new markets and supporting sustainable practices. The council has also launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of its initiatives.
Executive committee members congratulated AEPC employees for their contributions, reaffirming the council’s commitment to market intelligence, trade facilitation, and policy advocacy.
In response to customers’ demand for this breathable and comfortable fabric, shapewear brand Spanx has unveiled its maiden collection crafted from Supima cotton.
The new Spanxshape Invisible Supima Cotton collection reimagines a few of Spanx's top-selling shapewear styles in Supima cotton, blending them with Lycra elastane and the brand's signature shaping technology.
Supima cotton's extra-long fibers create a softer, smoother, and more durable fabric than traditional cotton. This blend offers the comfort of cotton with the powerful shaping capabilities Spanx is known for.
Kiana Miree, Chief Merchandising Officer, Spanx says, with the new Spanxshape Invisible Supima Cotton collection, the brand offers multiple options for cotton shapewear.
The collection includes bottoms with targeted stomach control panels for 360-degree shaping, along with lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking properties. Available in core colors and on-trend hues, the Spanxshape Invisible Supima Cotton line offers a variety of tops and bottoms.
Vietnam's textile and apparel (T&A) industry aims to strengthen its global position by generating exports worth $47-$48 billion by 2025. The industry’s exports rose by 1.8 per cent Y-o-Y in early 2024. This growth was fueled by free trade agreements and international market recovery.
With this, Vietnam has emerged as the second-largest exporter in the world, trailing only China, with export earnings rising by 11 per cent to $44 billion in 2024. Key export destinations for the country include the US, EU, Japan, and South Korea. Notably, Vietnam's exports to the US have doubled since 2018, reaching nearly 20 per cent in 2024, driven by order shifts from China.
Major corporations like Nike, Adidas, and Puma are relocating production from China to Vietnam, alongside FDI from Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Significant investments, such as Texhong Group's yarn factory expansion and Shenzhou International's $150 million investment, signal continued growth. Many Vietnamese firms have secured substantial 2025 export orders.
Despite this progress, challenges persist. Competition from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, with their lower labor costs and US GSP benefits, puts pressure on Vietnam. Vietnam's reliance on China for 80 per cent of raw materials makes it vulnerable to cost increases from US-China trade tensions.
The risk of US tariffs on Vietnamese textiles looms, particularly concerning origin of goods regulations. Vietnam must effectively manage this issue to avoid anti-dumping or trade defense tariffs.
To address these challenges, Vietnam is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy. This includes developing domestic fiber and fabric production, fostering supporting industries, and promoting domestic supply chains. The government is also working to facilitate small and medium-sized business participation in the global supply chain. Companies are encouraged to adopt advanced technologies like automation and AI for increased productivity and eco-friendly manufacturing.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is actively diversifying export markets, prioritizing the EU, Japan, and South Korea to reduce dependence on the US and capitalize on existing FTAs. With strategic planning and leveraging opportunities, Vietnam is well-positioned to become a world-leading textile and garment center.
India and the United States are exploring tariff reductions on key sectors as part of a proposed trade agreement aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade. India is considering lowering tariffs on labor-intensive goods like gems and jewelry and textiles in exchange for the US reducing tariffs on its industrial goods exports to India. The current effective customs duty on Indian garment exports is 20% or a combination of tariffs.
Earlier this year, the two nations set an ambitious target – ‘Mission 500’ – to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. To achieve this, they plan to negotiate the first phase of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by Fall 2025. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $82.53 billion between April and November of the current fiscal year.
Both sides have committed to increasing US industrial exports to India and Indian exports of labor-intensive manufactured products to the US. While both countries have agreed in principle to tariff cuts, the specifics of the agreement, including the sectors involved, are still under discussion. Details will be finalized once negotiating teams are in place.
India has already taken steps to rationalize customs duties in its recent budget, benefiting some American exports. These include lower duties on fish hydrolysate, synthetic flavoring essences, ground installation for satellites, and motorcycles based on engine capacity.
India's top exports to the US include engineering goods, followed by gems and jewelry, and ready-made garments. Key Indian imports from the US include crude oil, petroleum products, cut and polished diamonds, electric machinery, and aircraft parts. While increased agricultural trade is also a goal, discussions on tariff reductions in this sector have yet to begin.
These commitments were made during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US earlier this year. Following meetings between leaders, both countries pledged to improve market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and enhance supply chain integration. India also committed to increasing its purchases of petroleum products and liquified natural gas from the US. India currently ranks tenth among nations exporting to the US. The US is India's top export destination and fourth-largest source of imports.
Skechers has roped in Spanish football star Isco Alarcón, currently playing for Real Betis Balompié, as its new brand ambassador. Alarcón will help boost Skechers’ presence in Spain and beyond by sporting Skechers Razor 1.5 Elite boots on the field and featuring in the brand's marketing campaigns.
A great football player with a significant track record, Alarcon’s record fully aligns with the brand’s profile and will help players across Spain and Portugal discover Skechers Football and the signature Comfort That Performs offers by its boots, says Txerra Díaz, Country Manager, Skechers Iberia.
A top midfielder, known for his time with Valencia CF, Málaga CF, and Real Madrid, where he won five UEFA Champions League titles, Alarcon joins other Spanish footballers wearing Skechers boots, including Iker Losada (Celta), Antonio Sánchez (Real Mallorca), and Pere Milla (Espanyol). Other top athletes wearing Skechers Football boots include Baris Alper Yilmaz (Turkey), Mohammed Kudus (Ghana & West Ham United), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine & Arsenal), and Anthony Elanga (Sweden & Nottingham Forest).
Since launching its football division at the start of the 2023/24 season with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Skechers has quickly grown its presence in the sport. The Skechers Football range includes three Elite styles for men and women, and a line of Academy boots for all skill levels.
Karl Mayer has introduced the 26 B batching device, designed to enhance efficiency and reliability for its special Raschel machines. Manufactured in-house, the device ensures timely production while maintaining durability through proven standard parts and innovative design.
Sascha Cron, Head of Customized Raschel Machinery Development at Karl Mayer, highlights the advantages: “We are now more resilient with suppliers and can accelerate further developments.”
The 26 B integrates seamlessly with Kamcos 2, allowing operators to manage settings directly on the machine interface rather than an external display. This unified control system reduces errors and enables remote software updates. Work safety is also improved with advanced light barriers and protective grills preventing injury risks during operation.
Additional features, such as an optional ejection system for heavy fabrics and a traversing device for even selvedge build-up, can be integrated upon request. A pressure roller option ensures optimal fabric tension from the start of production.
Released in January, the 26 B has already attracted multiple orders and is available as a standard feature on new machines or as a retrofit for existing models, including those with Kamcos 1. Karl Mayer’s Care Solutions team is ready to assist customers in upgrading to this latest innovation.
India's innerwear industry is struggling due to its dependence on Chinese raw materials. Rising prices of essential inputs like cotton yarn, spandex, synthetic fibers, and elastics, largely sourced from China, have caused a sharp decline in exports over the past three fiscal years (FY22-FY24). The costs of the inputs have risen by over 20 per cent due to global supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and fluctuating energy prices in China.
Data reveals, exports of men's and boys' innerwear including underpants, briefs, pyjamas declined by 24 per cent, from $720.86 million in FY22 to $548.28 million in FY24. Women's and girls' innerwear exports also decreased by 20.37 per cent, from $627.74 million to $499.86 million. Exports of support garments segment including bras, corsets, suspenders witnessed a massive 35.30 per cent contraction, from $95.14 million to $61.56 million. Exports of leading innerwear manufacturers like Rupa have decined by 42.38 per cent.
The Men's Underwear Index (MUI), which links innerwear sales to consumer spending and economic health, reflects the situation in India. Abhash Kumar, Economics Professor, University of Delhi, explains, this decline in innerwear exports signals broader economic stress, supporting the MUI’s idea that lower sales of essential goods indicate pressure on the economy.
Despite a projected 10 per cent annual growth rate for India's domestic innerwear market, reaching Rs 1.07 trillion by 2029, the export decline remains a serious concern. Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI), points out, as the production of innerwear garments in India is largely dependent on raw materials imported from China, the rise in raw material prices have led to a slowdown in production, resulting in a decline in exports.
Experts stress the need for action to reverse this trend and strengthen India's global market position. Ajay Srivastava, Founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), emphasizes, as the data highlights a concern downward trend, it is crucial to address these challenges
High tariff and non-tariff barriers on raw material imports compound the problem, increasing production costs and hindering competitiveness. Mihir Parekh, Associate Partner, Foundation for Economic Development, argues, these trade barriers, along with ‘sub-optimal policy choices related to labor and trade,’ prevent India from fully utilizing its abundant manpower and achieving its economic goals. India's major innerwear export destinations include Bangladesh, Congo, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US.
According to a recent analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), India's textile and apparel exports experienced robust growth in January 2025. Textile exports surged by 16.14 per cent compared to January 2024, while apparel exports saw a significant jump of 11.45 per cent. This positive trend resulted in a cumulative growth of 13.88 per cent for textile and apparel exports in January 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the export figures:
|
Particulars |
Jan-24 |
Jan-25 |
% Change |
Apr'23-Jan'24 |
Apr'24-Jan'25 |
% Change |
|
Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-ups, Handloom Products etc. |
892.13 |
1,038.55 |
16.41% |
9,562.20 |
9,954.57 |
4.10% |
|
Man-made Yarn/Fabs./Made-ups etc. |
379.71 |
425.82 |
12.14% |
3,808.05 |
4,036.10 |
5.99% |
|
Jute Mfg. including Floor Covering |
24.87 |
34.99 |
40.69% |
283.8 |
318.92 |
12.37% |
|
Carpet |
114.86 |
135.58 |
18.04% |
1,152.80 |
1,285.08 |
11.47% |
|
Handicrafts excl. handmade carpet |
135.03 |
161.35 |
19.49% |
1,307.25 |
1,480.37 |
13.24% |
|
Textiles |
1,546.60 |
1,796.29 |
16.14% |
16,114.10 |
17,075.04 |
5.96% |
|
Apparel |
1,441.36 |
1,606.42 |
11.45% |
11,583.03 |
12,922.23 |
11.56% |
|
Textile and Apparel |
2,987.96 |
3,402.71 |
13.88% |
27,697.13 |
29,997.27 |
8.30% |
|
All Commodities |
37,323.80 |
36,425.71 |
-2.41% |
3,53,973.67 |
3,58,906.54 |
1.39% |
|
% of T&A in Total Exports |
8.01% |
9.34% |
7.82% |
8.36% |
The data reveals that the growth in textile and apparel exports has outpaced the overall growth in Indian exports. This strong performance can be attributed to several factors, including increasing demand from key export markets and the industry's efforts to enhance competitiveness.
The CITI analysis also highlights the contribution of various segments within the textile and apparel sector. Cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups, along with handloom products, registered a significant increase of 16.41 per cent in January 2025 compared to the previous year. Man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups also showed healthy growth of 12.14 per cent. Other notable segments include jute manufacturing, carpets, and handicrafts, which have all contributed to the overall positive performance of the sector.
The growth in textile and apparel exports is a positive sign for the Indian economy, as it contributes to employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and overall industrial development. The government's initiatives to support the textile and apparel industry, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, are also expected to further boost the sector's growth in the coming years.
The rise of circular economy has brought in a wave of innovative business models designed to minimize waste and maximize resource utilization. However, a new study reveals these circular business models can have unintended consequences, potentially undermining their environmental benefits.
The circular consumption conundrum
The study, which analyzed 30 real-life cases of consumer-facing circular business models, found consumer behavior can either enhance or diminish the sustainability gains. When consumers engage with circular models in a way that promotes sustainable consumption, it leads to "conservation effects." This includes behaviors like reducing overall consumption, choosing used products over new ones, and extending product lifespans.
For instance, customers using a pay-per-use washing machine service were found to reduce their laundry frequency and temperature, thus lowering their environmental impact. Similarly, a car-sharing service motivated some users to give up car ownership altogether, leading to a significant reduction in their carbon footprint.
However, the study also identified a range of ‘rebound effects’ where consumer behavior offsets the environmental benefits of circular models. These include behaviors like increased consumption due to lower prices, using shared products in addition to owned ones, and substituting eco-friendly options with less sustainable ones.
For example, some users of a clothing rental service increased their overall consumption by renting clothes without reducing their regular purchases. In another case, a laundry service led to increased consumption as it was primarily used for washing bulky items that wouldn't fit in home washing machines.
The complexity of factors
The study highlights that consumer behavior in circular models is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including personal values, social norms, economic incentives, and business model design. While convenience and practicality were found to be the primary motivators for engaging with circular models, sustainability concerns often took a backseat.
Furthermore, the study found that the environmental impact of circular models can vary significantly across different consumer segments. For instance, in a boat-sharing service a small group of users generated more emissions than they saved, negating the positive impact made by other users.
Environmental impacts, a mixed bag
The findings on the environmental impact of circular models are sobering. While some cases showed significant emission reductions, others resulted in increased emissions or only marginal improvements. The average environmental savings were found to be relatively low, and in some cases, the negative impacts far outweighed the positive ones.
This study has important implications for businesses, policymakers, and researchers alike. It underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of consumer behavior and the complex interplay of factors that influence it.
Businesses need to design circular models that not only promote convenience and practicality but also incentivize sustainable consumption. This can be achieved through user-centric design, co-creation, and the integration of elements that nudge users towards sustainable behaviors.
Policymakers need to recognize that market-based approaches alone are not sufficient to address the systemic issues that drive rebound effects. Policies should integrate efficiency and sufficiency measures, moderate consumer demand, and promote a shift in societal values towards mindful consumption.
Researchers need to adopt interdisciplinary approaches that combine qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior in circular models. This will enable the development of more effective strategies for mitigating rebound effects and maximizing the environmental benefits of the circular economy.
Thus the study reveals that circular business models are a double-edged sword for sustainable consumption. While they offer the potential for significant environmental gains, their success hinges on a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and the implementation of holistic strategies that address the complex interplay of factors driving both conservation and rebound effects.
Garment Tech Istanbul 2025, the leading exhibition for the garment and ready-to-wear industry, will bring together global brands and the latest sewing machine technologies. Major manufacturers like Juki, Yuki, Brother, Durkopp Adler, Pfaff Industrial, Pegasus, and Siruba will showcase a wide range of sewing machines, including industrial, household, automatic, zigzag, chain, overlock, and interlock models.
During the four-day event at the Istanbul Fair Center (June 25-28), visitors will explore innovative, high-efficiency sewing machines, interact with industry experts, and stay updated on the latest market trends.
The event is set to boost Turkiye’s sewing machine exports, which rose 10.15 per cent to $1.608 billion in the first half of 2024. Industrial machine exports reached 2.28 million units, with significant growth in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Exports to Pakistan surged by 160.46 per cent, while sales in Europe and North America saw slight declines.
Garment Tech Istanbul 2025 will provide a platform for companies to expand global partnerships, strengthen brand visibility, and increase sales. The event will highlight the latest advancements in digital and smart sewing machines, featuring automated settings, IoT-enabled remote monitoring, and quieter electric motors.
Industry professionals seeking to optimize production, reduce errors, and boost efficiency will have the opportunity to experience cutting-edge technologies firsthand. The exhibition will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sewing machinery sector, attracting buyers and investors eager to embrace innovation.
