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The government has doubled import duty on more than 300 textile products for the second time this month, which, Animesh Saxena, Managing Director, Neetee Clothing and Executive Member, Apparel Exporters and Manufactures Association believes, does not auger well for the garment export industry. He believes restricting our fabric basket to cotton is stagnating export growth.
India has doubled import tax from existing 10 per cent to 20 per cent to boost the ailing textile sector, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities. This hike will help India's domestic industry, which employs nearly 10.5 crore people and has been facing stiff competition from cheaper imports.
This is for the second time that the government has increased import duty. Last month, the government had doubled import duty on over 50 textile products including jackets, suits and carpets to 20 per cent. However, the 20 per cent duty will not be applicable to products sourced from Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia countries due to the FTA.
China’s June apparel exports to the US fell 0.83 per cent in volume. But the country is still the top supplier to the US. Vietnam, the number two apparel supplier to the US, saw apparel shipments rise 6.6 per cent in value and 2.6 per cent in volume. Among other major suppliers, apparel imports from Bangladesh rose 9.9 per cent in value while unit volume was up 1.2 per cent. Cambodia’s shipments increased 8.4 per cent in value and up 4.5 per cent in volume.
Among the top 10apparel and textile suppliers that posted year-on-year decline in import volume, India’s shipments to the US dropped 3.2 per cent, Mexico’s dipped one per cent and Indonesia’s shipments decreased 11.2 per cent. Among the top ten countries which recorded volume increase in apparel exports to the US were South Korea with a 26 per cent hike, Vietnam with a 6.3 per cent increase and Cambodia with a 5.6 per cent gain. Other countries in the group posting increases were Pakistan up 2.7 per cent, Bangladesh up 0.5 per cent and Canada with a 0.2 per cent growth.
US exports of apparel and textiles rose 4.33 per cent in value, with growth in key destinations such as Mexico, Canada, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Witnessing a surge during in the first half of 2018, Canada posted a 4.67 per cent growth value-wise of apparel imports from January to June. Overall import was recorded at $4,359.33 million in the period as against $4164.73 million import value in the corresponding period last year.
China remained the focus of Canadian apparel imports during the period, as the country exported goods worth $1,549.46 million growing marginally by 0.14 per cent yearly. On the other hand, Bangladesh shipped $537.50 million worth of apparels, a 2 per cent growth Y-o-Y. Cambodia marked an impressive growth of 12.7 per cent as it exported apparels worth $397.43 million to the Canadian market. In knitted segment, Cambodia stood 2nd after China and exported $285.96 million worth, registering 9.6 per cent yearly growth.
Vietnam upped its exports from $340.78 million from the same period in 2017 to $390.60 million this year, rising by 14.62 per cent. India increased its apparel exports by 3.97 per cent in the first six months to Canada and shipped apparels worth $172.82 million. The growth helped India book 5th spot among top exporters.
According to the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the recent student protests demanding safe roads, and the subsequent transport strikes across the country, has hit the apparel industry very hard.
As per the view of Mainuddin Ahmed, Vice-President, BGMEA, the strike disrupted civil life and export-import activities of the country. The apparel sector was worst hit by the strike as the export-import goods could not be transported. The imported goods could not be unloaded from the maritime port. Export items also did not reach the port on time for shipment. As a result, productivity at the factory was hampered to a great extent.
Ahmed further informed that five vessels left Chittagong Port on August 5 without carrying 1168 export box containers. BGMEA plans to issue a circular asking entrepreneurs how much loss they incurred in this regard.
For Q2, revenues for Adidas brand increased 12 per cent. While revenues in the wholesale channel increased at a high-single-digit rate, direct-to-consumer sales rose at a double-digit rate with strong support from e-commerce, where revenues grew 26 per cent in the quarter. Adidas remains firmly on track to achieve its set targets for the full year 2018 and long-term until 2020.
The company’s gross margin increased 2.2 percentage points to 52.3 per cent. This development was driven by an improved pricing and channel mix, reflecting the company’s focus on the quality of its top-line growth. Royalty and commission income increased 10 per cent. Other operating expenses increased nine per cent. As a percentage of sales, other operating expenses were up 1.8 percentage points to 43 per cent. This increase was mainly driven by significantly higher marketing expenditure, which grew 14 per cent.
As a percentage of sales, marketing expenditure increased 1.2 percentage points to 13.5 per cent. In addition, operating overhead costs increased seven per cent as a percentage of sales to 29.5 per cent as the company continues to invest into further improving the scalability of its business. Inventories declined six per cent. Operating working capital increased one per cent at the end of June 2018.
"Amid athleisure’s growing preference, the world’s most famous attire – denim is witnessing lacklustre growth since the last two years. But what can bring zing back is the products newness. In a report, ‘Spotlight on Jeans: Denim Bounces Back’, Lorna Hennelly, fashion & beauty analyst, Euromonitor, says consumer demand for leggings is slowing, giving rise to a rebound in rigid, retro-style denim. The resurgence in demand is driven by millennials and grows in line with the industry-wide revival of ’90s-style fashion and nostalgic Americana, after over a decade of ultra-stretch skinny jeans saturating the market. In an effort to compete against athleisure, jeans manufacturers are innovating and adapting to evolving consumer needs."
Amid athleisure’s growing preference, the world’s most famous attire – denim is witnessing lacklustre growth since the last two years. But what can bring zing back is the products newness. In a report, ‘Spotlight on Jeans: Denim Bounces Back’, Lorna Hennelly, fashion & beauty analyst, Euromonitor, says consumer demand for leggings is slowing, giving rise to a rebound in rigid, retro-style denim. The resurgence in demand is driven by millennials and grows in line with the industry-wide revival of ’90s-style fashion and nostalgic Americana, after over a decade of ultra-stretch skinny jeans saturating the market. In an effort to compete against athleisure, jeans manufacturers are innovating and adapting to evolving consumer needs.
Similarly, Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor Survey suggested in the US, almost six out of 10 consumers (59
per cent) ‘love or enjoy’ wearing denim. Nearly two thirds (61 per cent) say they wear denim jeans or shorts at least three times a week. American women are even more likely than men to wear denim so often (63 per cent versus 57 per cent). According to Prescient & Strategic (P&S) Intelligence, North America is the world’s largest denim market, contributing more than 30 per cent revenue to the global market in 2016.
Growth channels
Statista research reveals sales are being encouraged by expanding urban populations, increase in the number of white-collar employees, changes in perceptions about ‘executive wear’ and the resulting acceptance of jeans as business casual attire for men. Affinity for denim is highest in Colombia (82 per cent), Germany (81 per cent), Turkey (72per cent), Mexico (71 per cent), and Great Britain (68 per cent). The two most heavily populated countries in the world, India and China, have come to appreciate denim jeans more than ever. The number of people in these Asian countries who love or enjoy wearing denim has grown significantly between 2003 and 2018, from 22 per cent to 53 per cent in India, and from 39 per cent to 65 in China, states the Global Lifestyle Monitor Survey.
Monitor research shows on average, men and women in the US own six pairs of denim jeans. In contrast, consumers in denim-loving Colombia own nine pairs; followed by Mexico (eight pairs); Germany (seven pairs), Italy and Turkey (both six pairs); Great Britain and Thailand (both five pairs); China (four pairs); and Japan and India (three pairs). P&S Intelligence says jeans have been the largest contributor to global denim market, and they are expected to drive future sales as well. The availability of numerous styles in jeans, such as: skinny, stretch, ultra-low-rise, mid- and high-rise denims, boyfriend, straight/cigarette jeans, flared, wide-legged, capri, cropped, and cuffed jeans, provides multiple options for buyers to choose according to their preference. Globally, consumers want quality denim that wears well because they are usually wearing it out in public. The Global Monitor finds denim is worn to run errands (48 per cent), to work (35 per cent), to go out for dinner (33 per cent), to be stylish or fashionable (28 per cent), and to look and feel good in your outfit (27 per cent).
Your denim in future
It’s going to be packed with embellishments, destroyed and bleached denim going forward. Oversized denim will see a rise, although younger designers and emerging brands will use overly exaggerated silhouettes and more street-style looks. Spring/Summer 2019 will also see a strong usage of raw denim. According to Hennelly, the novelty of athleisure is wearing off, and consumers are looking to their fashion favorite for newness in their wardrobes. Consumer demand for leggings is slowing, giving rise to a rebound in rigid, retro-style denim. The resurgence in demand is driven by millennials and grows in line with the industry-wide revival of ’90s-style fashion and nostalgic Americana, after over a decade of ultra-stretch skinny jeans saturating the market.
Cooperation between the garment and textile sector will be one of the priorities in Vietnam and India’s efforts to raise bilateral trade value. Both have prioritized development and cooperation with the aim of enhancing bilateral trade and building a supply chain for the textile sector.
In 2017, India’s apparel exports to Vietnam surged 44 per cent. To enhance trade cooperation, India intends to export apparel fabrics worth one billion dollars to Vietnam. Despite being one of the five largest apparel exporters in the world, Vietnam also imports the highest amount of garments and textile materials in the world.
And India owns a strong fiber and yarn production industry that is able to produce almost all kinds of fabrics and supporting materials available in the market, making it one of the three largest textile products providers in the world. India is strong in producing and exporting textile products from synthetic yarn, being used widely in the global garment industry.
While Vietnam will gain from India with regard to latest technology, textile materials and products, India too can expand its market. Vietnam applauds the quality of Indian fabric.
Nitin Spinners has reported net sales worth Rs 300.72 crores during the three month period ended June 30, 2018, as compared to Rs 287.43 crores during the three month period ended June 30, 2017. The company posted net profit of Rs 15.42 crores for the period ended June 30, 2018, as against Rs 12.72 crores for the period ended June 30, 2017.
Nitin Spinners manufactures pure cotton yarns and fabrics for both the national and international markets at Bhilwara in Rajasthan. With a capacity of 2,23,000 spindles and 3,000 rotors, it produces 50,000 tons of yarn and 9,000 tons of fabric a year. Nitin Spinners makes cotton yarn in single, multifold slub, compact, core spun and Elitwist yarns. The products are suitable for applications such as high value apparels and garments, undergarments, terry towels, denims, woven and medical fabrics, carpets, mattresses, stockings, furnishing fabrics and industrial fabrics.
The company uses Rieter compact spindles. Thanks to optimum raw material utilization, the quality of the yarn was improved and a high quality of compact yarn was achieved. In 2015-16, Nitin Spinners clocked a turnover of Rs 767 crores, out of which exports totaled Rs 531 crores.
The first Philippine Leather Goods, Garment and Fabric Expo will be held from August 23-26, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines. The expo will be attended by nine Philippine companies and 63 companies from seven other countries including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, India, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The expo is endorsed by the Philippine Board of Investment (BOI), Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines, and supported by the Textile Producers Association of the Philippines, Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office of the LGU Marikina; the Garment Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile and Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). It is mounted by CP Exhibition Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Exhibitions and Trade Corp.
It will showcase fabrics and garment accessories, garment machinery and parts, textile machinery, nonwoven machinery, dye machinery and chemicals, industry/factory automation, quality control, computer-aided design tools and software, as well as leather and leather goods machinery.
Luxury retailer Kering which owns like Gucci and Alexander McQueen, has published its latest Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) report which attempts to denote a financial value to the impact of its activities on the environment.
As per the report, the most significant impacts are generated in the supply chain (90 per cent) and in particular from the production and processing of raw materials that represent 76 per cent of the total. The brand’s operations represent just 10 per cent of the impacts. Among raw materials it uses, leather continues to be the major driver, followed by other animal fibres.
Supply chain impacts are the challenge for all apparel brands and with this in mind, Kering now plans to focus its efforts in this area. The brand has indicated that it might make small-scale changes in sourcing options, such as replacing materials with recycled alternatives, which can result in tangible EP&L savings.
