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Bangladesh's home textile sector is struggling to regain lost work orders, primarily due to a significant shift of business to Pakistan over the past two years. This change followed a dramatic 150 per cent increase in gas prices in Bangladesh, which led many local exporters to halt new orders due to soaring production costs. In contrast, Pakistan benefits from abundant cotton supplies and lower production costs, making it a more attractive option for global importers.
Recent data highlights Pakistan's competitive edge, with its textile exports reaching a 26-month high of $1.64 billion in August 2023, up 13 per cent year-on-year. Factors contributing to this growth include government policies and the country's strategic position amidst political instability in Bangladesh and sanctions on China.
In contrast, Bangladesh's home textile exports fell by 2.05 per cent to $851.01 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Once exceeding $1 billion in FY21, exports suffered a decline due to rising gas prices and ongoing labor unrest, limiting local mills capacity. Currently, Bangladesh's monthly export figures have dropped from the planned $30 million to $25 million, illustrating the challenges faced by the industry as it attempts to recover.
Sci-Lume Labs has introduced Bylon, an innovative, affordable material made from renewable agricultural waste, designed to close the sustainability gap in fashion. The material is not only scalable and 100 per cent recyclable but also promotes accessibility to eco-friendly clothing. This achievement has earned Sci-Lume Labs the 2024 ITMF Start-up Award, recognizing their impactful contribution to sustainable fashion.
Christian Schindler, ITMF’s Director General, praised the partnership between established companies and start-ups like Sci-Lume Labs, emphasizing how collaboration helps scale innovation in the textile industry. Through ITMF membership, Sci-Lume Labs gains access to essential data and a global network across the textile value chain, enhancing its industry insight.
CEO Oliver Shafaat noted that membership with ITMF is instrumental for understanding industry dynamics and fostering global collaboration. He emphasized that bridging communication between global stakeholders is crucial for developing sustainable, circular solutions. Schindler highlighted the ITMF platform’s role in supporting the transition to a circular textile economy, underscoring Sci-Lume’s commitment to an eco-conscious future.
CEM Altan, President, International Apparel Federation (IAF), urges leaders in Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector to expandtheir export base by targeting emerging and high-end markets such as Russia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. He also advises them to focus onvalue-added products such as garments, fast fashion, sportswear, and medical wear, instead of low-cost textile exports.
Presenting a strategic advantage to Pakistan, political challenges in Bangladesh are impacting its garment exports, notes Altan. Pakistan can become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment by offering global fashion brands both affordability and alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Local manufacturers should adopt renewable energy sources and eco-friendly practices to cut production costs and meet international compliance requirements, Altan advises.
To enhance global competitiveness, Altan recommends digitising supply chains with advanced tools like ERP systems, blockchain for transparency, and IoT for more effective production planning. He also urges Pakistani brands to embrace e-commerce by utilising global platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and Etsy to expand international reach.
Ijaz Khokar, Former Chairman, Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), urges the government to create a five-year ‘Textile Destination of the World’ policy to drive export growth, innovation, human capital development, SME support, and financial access. The industry should also conduct quarterly reviews to track progress, he adds.
Exporters see significant potential in Russia, where Pakistani products could reach North American-level export values if formal banking channels are established. In addition to garments, leather goods and fashion wear could also appeal strongly to Russian consumers. In recent weeks, Pakistani exporters have seen increased orders from South Asian markets, including redirected orders from Bangladesh.
Looking forward, PRGMEA aims to host the World Fashion Convention in Pakistan again in 2026. Khokaropines, this convention could deliver extensive benefits to Pakistan’s textile sector. He urges the government and private sector to collaboratively establish research centers, textile clusters, packaging facilities, and fashion design institutes to further strengthen the country’s garment exports capacity. He also recommends launching a TEXPO Pakistan event in Dubai, inspired by the success of TEXPO, to attract regional buyers.
In a significant stride towards eco-conscious fashion, Liva Reviva and Indian label Ka-Sha have collaborated on ‘Roz’, a new line focused on sustainable, everyday wear. Known for its innovative use of renewable plant-based fibers, Liva Reviva has teamed up with Ka-Sha to deliver a collection that combines style, comfort, and sustainability under Ka-Sha’s fresh brand ‘Roz’.
Meaning ‘everyday’ in Hindi, ‘Roz’ represents a commitment to creating versatile, comfortable clothing for daily use while embodying sustainability. This collection stands out for its innovative fabric blend that includes Liva’s Reviva-M circular yarn produced from repurposed textile waste combined with hand woven kala cotton by artisans from Gujarat. This fusion of sustainable materials with traditional craftsmanship not only ensures durability but also aligns with the modern consumer’s demand for responsible fashion.
‘Roz’ offers elevated basics that prioritize mindful design without sacrificing style or comfort. Each piece showcases Ka-Sha’s dedication to craftsmanship, with details that bring refinement to functional clothing. From casual outings to workwear, ‘Roz’ blends practicality with environmental consciousness, aiming to appeal to consumers who value sustainability and quality.
Sree Charan, VP Marketing and Global Head of Brands at Birla Cellulose, Aditya Birla Group, expressed pride in this collaboration, highlighting Liva Reviva’s role in reducing textile waste while delivering premium-feel fabrics that support eco-conscious choices. Karishma Shahani Khan, Founder of Ka-Sha, described ‘Roz’ as more than a fashion lineit is a philosophy of simplicity in daily dressing coupled with the principles of conscious consumerism.
The collection has received early praise for its ethical production and versatile appeal, resonating with consumers seeking both style and sustainability. The partnership underscores a growing trend in the fashion industry where style and responsibility can coexist, setting a benchmark for other brands to follow. ‘Roz’ exemplifies how sustainable fashion can make a positive impact, ensuring consumers not only look good but contribute to doing good for the planet.
Parent company of popular Australian and New Zealand retail brands like Millers, Rivers, Katies, Noni B, and Autograph, Mosaic Brands has filed for bankruptcy. With around 763 stores and thousands of employees across both countries, the companyhas shifted its focus to expanding big-box Rivers megastores in regional areas of Australia.
A month prior to this announcement, Mosaic had opted to close its Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane, and BeMe brands, to concentrate more on its Millers, Noni B, Rivers, and Katies brands as well as a dedicated online marketplace. This strategic decision is expected to result in the numerous store closures and the loss of hundreds of jobs. As of Aug 2023, Mosaic operated 150 Rockmans stores, 49 Autograph stores, and 32 W.Lane stores, with BeMe and Crossroads exclusively online.
Mosaic has appointed Vaughan Strawbridge, Kathryn Evans, Kate Warwick, and David McGrath from FTI Consulting as administrators to oversee the insolvency process. Additionally, Mosaic’s senior secured lender has enlisted KPMG as receivers and managers to collaborate with FTI. The control of Mosaic will now transfer to FTI Consulting, which will evaluate the company's finances and determine whether restructuring is feasible to allow continued operations or if liquidation is necessary.
In Feb’04, Mosaic’s net profit rose by 38 per cent Q-o-Q rise to $5.4 million. However, the company registered a $66 million loss in FY22-23. This included $39 million in debt and $45 million in lease obligations. Mosaic’s annual report had cautioned that these financial burdens may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Nonetheless, the board of directors had previously expressed confidence in Mosaic’s ability to meet its financial obligations.
In northwest China’s Uygur Autonomous Region, advancements in breeding high-quality cotton varieties, alongside increased digitalisation and mechanisation in farming practices, have greatly enhanced cotton output and quality. As one of the country’s top cotton-producing areas, Xinjiang plays a vital role in supplying premium raw materials to the textile and apparel industries.
On October 9, Li Xueyuan, Xinjiang's lead expert in cotton industry technology, announced a new national record in calculated per-unit cotton yield at a high-yield demonstration field in Jinghe County, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture. Over recent years, Li and his team have independently developed more than 20 high-yield cotton varieties. Initially, the team focused only on yield increases, Li noted. Now, it aims for early maturity, premium quality, disease resistance, and suitability for mechanised harvesting. Most of these goals have now been met.
In support of these advances, Xinjiang's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has implemented a comprehensive cotton production technology system with designated demonstration fields across major cotton-growing counties to encourage uniform development.
Digital farming is now a cornerstone of cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, enabling farmers to manage field practices, including irrigation and fertilisation, directly from their mobile phones. Dong Cheng long, a farmer in Jinghe County, shared how his robust cotton plants now grow densely with well-formed bolls, allowing him to oversee nearly 500 mu (around 33.3 hectare) of land by himself. Mechanised harvesters further streamline his work, with each cotton picker able to process an average of 500 mu per day—equivalent to the labor of 2,000 workers.
Navigating macroeconomic pressures impacting families with young children, Carter’s Inc remains committed to strengthening its brand presence and retail footprint, according to Michael D Casey, CEO and Chairman.
Aided by a $40 million investment in price reductions and an additional $10 million towards brand marketing in H2, FY24, the retailer’s sales in the US exceeded expectations, notes Casey. The investments also helped itboost in-store and online sales in Q3, FY24, he adds.
Despite lower wholesale sales to department and off-price stores compared to last year, Carter’s saw a positive lift from customers consolidating purchases at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. International sales performed as expected.
The company’s best-selling segment, The Baby Apparel, grew by 2 percent and made up over half of total apparel sales, while baby and toddler apparel combined contributed more than 80 percent. In contrast, sales for children aged 4-10 decreased by double digits. Within its pricing categories, Carter’s saw strong growth in both low and premium tiers, particularly with its Little Planet, PurelySoft, and Baby B’gosh collections, which increased by 50 percent.
Holiday shopping has started to improve, spurred by colder weather, and strategic price reductions on staple items helped Carter’s maintain comparable U.S. retail unit volumes to last year.
Reiterating Carter’s commitment to brick-and-mortar, Casey emphasised, nearly 70 percent of children’s apparel is bought in-store, which also drives e-commerce sales. The company aims to open 250 US stores by 2027, projected to add $250 million in sales. In Q3, FY24, the brand’s omnichannel sales grew by 12 percent, with stores supporting 38 percent of digital orders. Carter’s also opened 40 high-margin stores during the quarter while closing 30 low-margin ones, with 98 percent of stores cash-flow positive.
The brand’s net income in Q3, FY24 declined by 11.8 percent to $58.3 million while net sales contracted by 4.2 percent to $758.5 million. For the full year, Carter’s projects, its EPS will range between $4.70 and $5.15 while net sales will grow to $2.79 billion-$2.83 billion, driven by partnerships with Walmart, Target, and Amazon, where unit volumes rose by 15 percent year-to-date.
A Guwahati-based MSME unit, Pragjyotika Enterprises was honored with a Certificate of Excellence for its innovative contributions as a leading machine manufacturer in the Vanya Silk Post Cocoon sector. The award was presented during the Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute’s silver jubilee celebrations by Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and Foreign Affairs.
Operational since the last 30 years, Pragjyotika Enterprises is the leading provider of textile machinery across Northeast India. Dedicated to the region’s development, the company has so far distributed10,000 to 15,000 machines, creating significant employment opportunities and supporting local economies across rural areas.
Manish Jain, CEO, Managing Director and Proprietor, M/s Pragjyotika Enterprises, says, the backbone of livelihoods in Northeast India, textile sector helps generate employment besides fuelling economic growth across the region. His remarks highlight the essential role of small and medium enterprises in fostering economic resilience and job creation in regions with limited large-scale industrialisation.
Besides fostering industrialisation and generating millions of jobs across the region, China's advanced technology and the Belt and Road Initiative would also help Africa realise the full potential of its textile and apparel sector, opined experts at the 2024 Sino-Africa International Symposium on Textile and Apparel in Casablanca, Morrocco.
Highlighting Africa’s abundant natural and human resources, Aouraghe Mohamed Amine, Associate Professor, Quanzhou Normal University in Fujian, China emphasised, China’s global leadership in high-end textile technology can support Morocco, especially through its wide-ranging applications in fields such as medicine, aerospace, automotive, apparel, and geotextiles.
Yan Jinjiang, Industrial Development Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, noted, Africa has the required potential to become a global leader in sustainable textiles. Key growth areas such as recycled materials, the creation of industrial parks, and technology-sharing from other nations, could fuel Africa's growth in the sector, he added.
Sun Ruizhe, President, China National Textile and Apparel Council, explained, since its reform era, China has built a comprehensive and competitive textile sector and actively shared its manufacturing innovations and capabilities with global markets.
Liu Chenggong, Party Secretary, Donghua University in Shanghai, emphasised, a thriving textile industry is essential for a nation’s industrialisation and its modernisation. Echoing President Xi Jinping’s call for stronger China-Africa collaboration during the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, Liu highlighted, combined with a 2.8 billion population, this could help drive modernisation forward.
Morocco’s proactive industrial policies have optimised its business climate and expanded international trade, enabling substantial growth in manufacturing, including textiles, Liu affirmed. This forum could prove as a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties with the Moroccan Textile and Apparel Industry Association and the School of Textile and Clothing Industries, he added.
Global Fashion Summit’s Shanghai Gala, presented by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) and China mind Next on 7 November, brought together local and international fashion leaders during the China International Import Expo. Hosted at The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan, the event focused on the theme, ‘Unlocking the Next Level,’ building on insights from the Copenhagen edition held in May. By staging this summit in Shanghai, a city known for blending tradition with cutting-edge trends, GFA aimed to foster cross-border collaboration and inspire sustainable practices worldwide.
The evening included keynote speeches from representatives of brands such as Coach, H&M Group, Piaget China, Decor Global, and Target. Topics like ‘Circularity at Scale,’‘Shaping Sustainable Retail,’ and ‘Ambition to Action’ highlighted the industry’s efforts to adopt eco-friendly initiatives across the fashion value chain.
A major announcement of the event was the release of The GFA Monitor 2024, an essential guide for industry leaders on advancing sustainability and achieving net positive impact. This report, launched ahead of COP29, offers a streamlined update on the industry's achievements and persisting challenges.
Federica Marchionni, CEO of GFA, emphasized the importance of converting sustainability goals into tangible actions. Lynn Fu, CEO of China mind Next, noted China’s role as a leading apparel consumer, adding that collaboration between Chinese and international brands is pivotal for industry-wide sustainable transformation.
Additionally, GFA announced ticket sales for the upcoming Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2025, themed ‘Barriers and Bridges,’ scheduled for 3-5 June, which will continue the conversation on overcoming obstacles to sustainability.
