Korean retail company Shinsegae offers a variety of retail technology solutions like CloudPOS, Smart Vending Machine, Self-Checkout (SCO) and Self-Scanning Robot. CloudPOS is a cloud-based solution that offers POS essentials to the retail business. The company’s SCO technology has been developed to take various payment methods including credit cards, cash and gift cards, while the Smart Vending machine allows selling of a wide range of products like fresh produce, cosmetics and smart devices.

Shinsegae, founded in 1955, is Korea’s first department store. The flagship store is an iconic place that symbolizes Shinsegae’s traditions and values and its elegant architecture recalls its long history. The company operates two businesses: E-Mart discount store and department store. The E-mart discount stores mainly provide foods, drinks and household products. The department stores mainly provide brand clothes, with seven branch stores throughout Korea. The company has overseas branch offices in China, Japan and the United States. Shinsegae believes in enriching the everyday lives of customers by delivering long-lasting values and commitment. With a network of over 860 stores nationwide, it provides exceptional retail experience for customers across its fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. The company has been working ceaselessly to modernize the distribution industry of Korea.

For the fourth quarter Puma’s net sales went up 20.6 per cent. There was double-digit growth in all regions and product divisions. Gross margin improved to 47.3 per cent led by small positive mix effects as well as slightly positive currency effects. Operating expenses rose 19.4 per cent in the fourth quarter. Net earnings increased 55 per cent.

Sales for the full year increased 18.4 per cent. Sales in the footwear division increased 16.8 per cent. The strongest growth was achieved in the sportstyle, running and training, and motorsport categories. In the apparel division, sales increased 22.6 per cent and was also driven especially by strong growth in sportstyle, running and training as well as motorsport categories. The accessories division showed a sales increase of 13.5 per cent. Higher sales of legwear, bodywear and cobra golf clubs contributed to the increase. Wholesale continued to drive growth with an increase of 15 per cent. Direct-to-consumer sales increased 22 per cent. This was driven by like-for-like sales growth in Puma’s own stores, the expansion of Puma’s retail store network and a continued strong growth of its e-commerce business. Direct-to-consumer sales represented a share of 25.4 per cent of total sales in 2019 compared to 24.3 per cent in 2018.

The National Cotton Council’s 39th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey says, US cotton cultivation is likely to drop 5.5 per cent to 13.0 million cotton acres this spring. Upland cotton intentions are likely to fall by 5.6 per cent to 12.8 million acres while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions will decline by 2.7 per cent to of 224,000 acre.

Aimed at 13.8 percent for the United States, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 11.2 million acres. Using an average US yield per harvested acre of 848 pounds generates a cotton crop of 19.8 million bales, with 19.1 million upland bales and 675,000 ELS bales.

The NCC questionnaire was mailed in mid-December 2019 to producers across the 17-state Cotton Belt. It asked producers for the number of acres devoted to cotton and other crops in 2019 and the acres planned for the coming season.

Hong Kong-based brand Bossini’s sales have dipped as much as 20 per cent. It began with continuing protests in Hong Kong, which completely brought a halt to tourist traffic flow from mainland China. Then the Coronavirus outbreak as further impacted sales.

Bossini is a brand with unmistakably chic fashion. There is a collection of alluring abstract print tops, cool geometric print midi dresses, funky graphic print tees and more. There are graphic tees for casual days, dresses for party nights and tops for Monday mornings. Simple, solid colored tops and tunics are wardrobe essentials that every woman must own. Easy to dress up, they can be paired with shorts as well as trousers and a coat. Bossini has a wide range of solid colored tops with tie-ups, high-low hems, tassels and more. The brand also has chevron striped tops for those who are looking to wear the classic style with a little bit of a twist. Also on the shelves on this women’s clothing brand is a wide array of cool graphic printed tees and tops for women. Skinny jeans for women are in lightly washed and low-rise variants. The brand also houses an equally chic collection of skirts that are great fashion-flexible picks.

Sales of brands like Adidas and Puma have fallen because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Adidas’s business activity in Greater China has been around 85 per cent below previous year level since the Chinese New Year on January 25. The brand has faced a significant number of store closures in its network of 500 owned stores and 11,500 franchises in China, while fewer people are shopping at those which remain open. The group’s Greater China region, which includes Taiwan and Hong Kong, has for years been one of the fastest-growing areas of the world for Adidas sales.

Puma’s business in China has been heavily impacted due to the restrictions and safety measures implemented by the authorities. More than half of its own stores and partner outlets are closed at the moment. Puma’s business in other markets, especially in Asia, is also suffering from lower numbers of Chinese tourists. But the company expects the situation to normalise in the short term, keeping it on track to achieve its full-year targets.

Both Adidas and Puma are German sportswear makers. Adidas is celebrating 70 years. In India the brand has a very strong business in football and a very strong business in running. Puma has increased its sales by 84.4 per cent in the last ten years. In the same period, the company’s profit has exploded 72.2 per cent.

India has shipped some six lakh bales of cotton to China. But some are either in the middle of the sea or lying at ports in China as there are no officials to unload the consignments. As a result, the payment cycle is stuck since no banks are open to clearing the letters of credit.

Cotton prices have gone down owing to the weak market sentiment. Private traders buying cotton from farmers at Rs 5,200 per quintal are now offering Rs 5,000 per quintal. The cotton yarn business has been hit more than cotton trade. So far, 28 lakh bales have been exported. Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia are other export destinations. Bangladesh accounts for 20 lakh bales to 22 lakh bales and seven lakh to eight lakh bales go to Vietnam. The Cotton Corporation of India is estimated to have purchased some 68 lakh bales from farmers under MSP operations. While wholesale prices are hovering near the MSP of Rs 5,550 per quintal, traders are cautious of them falling once the quality of cotton arriving in the markets deteriorates.

Cotton export shipments already shipped from October 1, 2019, to January 31 this year are estimated at 20 lakh bales, while the balance 22 lakh bales are expected to be shipped during February 1 to September 30 this year.

Richard L. (Ricky) Clarke, III, a merchant from Cordova, Tenn., will serve as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2020.CCI is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotion arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the Cotton USA trademark.

Clarke, who moves up from CCI first vice president, succeeds Hank Reichle, a cooperative official from Greenwood, Miss., who becomes CCI board chairman. Clarke, Reichle and other CCI officers were elected at CCI’s board meeting during the NCC’s 2020 Annual Meeting held February 14-16 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I look forward to leading CCI in its mission of making U.S. cotton ‘The Cotton The World Trusts’ for mills, manufacturers, brands, retailers and consumers worldwide,” Clarke said. “Cotton USA promotional events in 2020 will continue to educate this audience and stimulate U.S. cotton sales via networking opportunities throughout the global supply chain.”

Clarke is vice president/senior merchant for Cargill Cotton, Business Unit of Cargill, Inc. His current merchandising responsibilities include sales to several Asian markets.

Other CCI officers elected for 2020 include: first vice president, Ted Sheely, producer, Lemoore, Calif.; second vice president, Carlos C. Garcia, cooperative official, Lubbock, Texas; and treasurer, Steven Dyer, merchant, Cordova, Tennessee. In addition, Gary Adams, Cordova, was elected as secretary and Bruce Atherley, Washington, D.C., elected as assistant secretary.

Elected as CCI directors for 2020 were: George G. LaCour, Jr., a ginner from Morganza, La.; John C. King, III, a merchant from Helena, Ark.; Neal Isbell, a producer from Muscle Shoals, Ala.; and John F. Lindamood, a producer from Tiptonville, Tennessee.

Re-elected as 2020 CCI directors were: Producers – J. Lee Cromley, Brooklet, Ga.; Richard Gaona, Roby, Texas; Craig A. Heinrich, Lubbock, Texas; Matthew R. (Matt) Hyneman, Jonesboro, Ark.; and Paul (Paco) Ollerton, Casa Grande, Ariz.; Ginners –Curtis H. Stewart, Spade, Texas; Merchants – Philip R. (Phil) Bogel, II, Dallas, Texas; Tim G. North, Dallas, Texas; Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.; and William Barksdale, Cordova, Tenn.; Cooperatives – Frederick Barrier, Greenwood, Miss.; Carlo Bocardo, Bakersfield, Calif.; Donald Robinson, Garner, N.C.; Cottonseed – James C. Massey, Harlingen, Texas; Warehouseman - Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn.; and Manufacturers – Robin Perkins, Sanford, N.C.; and Davis Warlick, Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to Raja Shanmugham, President, Tirupur Exporters Association, we need to upscale skill inventory across our value chain as global competition is increasing. Agreements between nations are compelling each of them to open their markets for others. One such agreement, the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) enables countries to enter Indian shores and capture a share of its market. “As this inflow of companies is higher than supply, we need to create separate boards to ensure their connectivity to the main center". Regretfully in India still British legacy perennially lives and we somewhere collectively need to put our heads together to assess realistically the ground reality of the day. I have a strong sense that the system needs a fundamental shift in our macro view & approach to fruition; For instance, we need to set up a board in knitwear at Tirupur; in Karur for handlooms and made-ups while Mumbai needs to have a board for woven garments, Surat can have it for Synthetic fabrics & so and so forth to have a better handle of the micro assessment resulting in emergence of international level envious sourcing hubs & centers. This visibly will make it easier for us to achieve the $350 billion target envisaged by the Government of the day,” notes Shanmugham.

It will also enable each of these streams to perform to the best of their capacities. Currently, only liaison work is happening which creates a lopsided rather than holistic development. “It also reduces our manpower deployment and undermines cotton capacity optimization. Thus we get beaten by competing countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia etc. despite of India being complete supply chain country,” adds Shanmugham

Shanmugham views that to prevent this, we need to introduce policies that consider not just corporates but also MSMEs, as per him, "Indian entrepreneurial fabric is woven by MSMEs which contribute bulk of the exports Forex earning particularly when it comes to labour intensive industry like T & C". “MSMEs need to be given an opportunity to unleash their vibrancy. We also need more structural reforms. However, if coronavirus continues, there may be a transfer of orders and we can be one of the beneficiaries. How efficiently we do that remains to be seen however, still for mid to long-term health of the industry structural reforms..structural reforms..structural reforms is the only credible answer,” he further states.

The AW20 edition of Scoop, the UK’s leading premium contemporary womenswear show located at Old Billingsgate Market London from the 9th – 11th February, focused on newness; keeping the show fresh, launching new designers and exquisite cutting-edge fashion. Creating a premium ‘showroom’ experience, Scoop welcomed buyers and buying teams from Harrods, Anthropologie, The Cross, The Mercantile London, Harvey Nichols, Iris Fashion, Liberty London, Fortnum & Mason, El Corte Ingles, Mercer Paris, Galeries Lafayette amongst others.

Designed in Greece by Athina Parnasa, Devotion’s signature style of natural confidence and sexy femininity inspired by Grecian-chic culture and tradition came to life in a vibrant collection of show-stopping dresses. Stardust, a new collection founded by a former Scoop exhibitor, also caught the eye of buyers and influencers with its vibrant, tropical and floral prints.

People’s Republic of Cashmere was taken up by leading department stores, who loved the combination of premium quality cashmere with clean Scandinavian design. Founded by Hong Reese-You and Emilie Fenst, designs reflect a sense of relaxed elegance, focusing on comfort, high quality and strong colours all made from 100% fine quality Mongolian cashmere.

Already stocked by Le Printemps and Le Bon Marche, SAC U.S debuted in the UK at Scoop with its reinvented messenger bags with a pop twist that redefines the spirit of the times. Created by Adélaïde Salvi, founder and designer of the accessories brand MySuelly and the creative agency Coming Soon, SAC U.S is steeped in the authenticity of rock and vintage codes, while bringing them up to date with an original design.

Buyers also adored debut designers Santos Jewellery, Liebre Style boots, Flower and Scent candles, and LeBon toothpaste, as well as the new collections from returning designers Self Cinema, Yolke, Andraab, and OOF Wear.

Karen Radley, Founder and Managing Director of Scoop said: “Over the years, Scoop has become renowned by designers and fashion buyers for its exclusive presentation and curated edit of labels from Britain and the rest of the world. This season, I am proud to welcome a number of new designers, many of whom are launching at the show including Lyla Wilde, Orenda, SAC U.S, Ciela Orah, DXMXRK, Devotion, Poppyfield, Sako Loko, Santos Jewellery and many more. We curated the perfect backdrop at Old Billingsgate this season for the designer’s collections.”

Scoop is renowned internationally for its exclusive presentation and expertly curated edit of fashion designers and labels from Britain and the rest of the world, many of whom select the show as their launch pad.

The next Scoop experience returns to the Saatchi Gallery from the 19th - 21st July 2020.

To meet the challenges and opportunities arisen due to outbreak of coronavirus in China, a symposium on ‘Emerging Opportunities for Indian Textiles and Crafts’ was organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India at New Delhi.

Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles was the Chief Guest. Shri Ravi Capoor, Secretary (Textiles) was the Guest of Honour.

Shri Ravi Capoor delivered the key note address to the stalwarts exporters belonging to handicrafts, handloom, textiles, carpet, synthetic along with buying agents association. He said the whole world knows that the global value chain has been adversely impacted due to situation in our neighbourhood i.e China. He encouraged industry to believe that every crisis has an opportunity and Indian industry could leverage the bold moves made by Govt. of India around man-made fibers. Further, the Government support through a dedicated mission around technical textiles should be used to catapult India into the global stage. Lastly Shri Capoor encouraged industry to take advantage of the China+1 policy which companies are using as till now only South East Asia has fully benefited from buyer policy. Indian manufacturers should also diversify their sourcing opportunities to country other than China on immediate basis.

The purpose of organising the symposium was to deliberate on opportunities to position India as alternate sourcing hub in the current scenario Shri Capoor further said.

Chairmen/ Secretary General/Director Generals and Executive Directors of all EPCs, senior Government officials, various buying houses of overseas buyers were present in the symposium and presented impact on their sector and deliberated on various import/export related issues and suggestions to combat the situation. Large number of member exporters from Moradabad were present in the symposium which included Mr. Nabeel Ahmed, Member-COA-EPCH and Mr. Awdesh Agarwal, Secretary, Moradabad Handicrafts Exporters Association. From Jodhpur, Mr. Hansraj Baheti. Member COA-EPCH, Mr. Lekhraj Maheshwari Member –COA – EPCH from Jaipur were also present.

Hon’ble Minister of Textiles Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani started her address by sharing the good news that 22 crores farmers have soil health by now and benefits of using this technology would improve the agricultural sector on which apparel export is significantly based. The Ministry of Textiles has been interacting with industry very closely and major policy decisions like liberalizing MMF sector and GST concerns in handicrafts industry have been addressed. Some of the new areas which the Government would like to encourage are technical textiles, support to MSME and Government would like to see industry responding by positioning India not only as a sourcing hub but also as an end to end leader in textiles sector. She encouraged all the EPCs to bring MSME units for hand holding towards quality, compliance, R&D and certification which the Government will support. Younger MSMEs with hunger in the belly will be drivers of India’s dominance in the world in the coming times.

Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH while speaking on the occasion made some innovative and bold steps around “Namaste India” to attract overseas buyers towards Indian fairs and thereby to look at India as a compliant and safe hub. Shri Kumar also articulated another innovative marketing approach of using travel agents in USA and EU to drive the “Namaste India” campaign. He availed the opportunity of presence of Secretary Textiles with number of suggestions which included MAI grant for the buyers from developed countries, long term visas, involving embassies and consulates in aggressive marketing and finally assisting foreign buyers to set up dedicated joint ventures with Indian manufactures.

During symposium various issues pertaining to Government support with respect to nodal officer in Embassies for export facilitation and nodal officer in Ministry of Textiles for trade facilitation, issuance of phyto-sanitary certification, support for RoDTEP scheme were raised to which while responding in the end, Secretary Textiles Shri Capoor assured all possible help and appreciated the idea of “Namaste India” campaign to be undertaken by all EPCs in the next two months to project India as sourcing hub destination and encourage maximum visitors to the shows in India. He assured setting up of help desk in the Ministry for facilitating exports and issues pertaining to exports.

It is hoped that as the Government of India is well aware of the current situation of export and import which has been affected due to situation in China and holding of this symposium will further add the inputs placed by different EPCs said Shri Rakesh Kumar, DG – EPCH.