FW
Since 2011, the cotton industry has struggled under high stock levels, initially in China, but now more outside China.
Broader merino wool is often blended with acrylic and some polyester.
Polyester, the big gorilla of fibers, is frightening even cotton. Polyester staple fiber has lifted in price since 2015, but is trading at a relatively modest rank of 41 per cent.
The US price is a little more restrained than the Australian dollar price due to falling exchange rates since 2014. The average merino price has returned to its peak level of 2011. The average merino price is therefore close to the top of its range of the past ten years.
In terms of percentile ranks the merino price is performing better than the major fibers but acrylic and cotton have high percentile ranks as well. Apparel fiber prices have generally lifted from low levels in 2015, rising in varying strength up cycles. The performance of cotton is even more impressive than the merino price given its stock levels.
While the merino wool price ratio to other fibers is extreme, the major fibers have been trending higher in US dollar terms since 2015. Cotton, despite a heavy handicap of high stock levels, is managing to trade at its ten year 77th percentile level.
In terms of percentile rank, acrylic and cotton are not too far behind merino wool prices. The case for wool exceptionalism is not as strong when other fiber prices are considered.
p>Pitti Immagine Uomo will be held in Italy, June 12 to 15, 2018.
This is a fashion tradeshow for menswear and contemporary lifestyle and serves as a space focusing on research into menswear and boosting the forward-looking edge of fashion through its various sections.
This year, the fair is set to be more of a lifestyle-oriented tradeshow than a regular business event for participating brands and buyers.
The event has garnered a lot of interest owing to its combination of important runway shows, a plethora of high-quality specially-designed events that reflect the theme of the season, and the constant renovation of its spaces.
The theme for this year is P.O.P. Pitti Optical Power, which revolves around the concept of optical illusions. It is suggestive of a visual and virtual spectacle that elicits new horizons of perception and perspectives on reality.
A new space spread across 500 square meters that doubles as a bar and lounge aims to make the Pitti experience a bit different by also hosting conferences apart from the regular exhibits and showcases.
The P.O.P. Arena is designed in a hypnotic style by designer Sergio Colantuoni, in line with this season’s theme. Decorated in optical technicolor, the space will make the Pitti experience even more enjoyable for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Pakistan’s exports of textile and clothing increased 8.13 per cent during first ten months of the current fiscal year.
Products that contributed to positive growth in external trade include raw cotton, knitwear, yarn, bed wear exports, towels, readymade garments, silk and synthetic textiles.
Textile exports make up around 60 per cent of the country’s total exports. The textile sector has the largest share in Pakistan’s exports.
Pakistan’s competitors are upping the ante on textile exports to make inroads into more global markets. While China’s share in global textile exports is 36 per cent, Vietnam contributes 12.4 per cent, and Pakistan contributes seven per cent.
Various problems are being faced by the country’s textile sector including the high cost of doing business, multiple taxes and surcharges.
Pakistan predominantly being a textile export economy is struggling to maintain its share in global textile markets both in basic and value added textiles. Pakistan is the only country in the region that saw its total textile exports decline by ten per cent between 2011 and 2018.
Other economies like China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam grew their exports at a compound rate of 20 per cent or more during the same period.
Cotton producers in Oklahoma, US, liken growing the crop to a 24-hour road race.
It’s about trying to predict how the environment is going to affect the crop and manage it to those environmental factors that could potentially cost yield, capitalize on them to increase yield or maintain the yield. With cotton, maybe there’s a little more attempting to mitigate risk. But like any crop, the goal is to be profitable.
Oklahoma wants to muscle its way to the front of the US cotton scene. In the short term, a program will be established that evaluates different agronomic practices that ultimately will help producers lead more efficient operations.
In November 2017, the US Department of Agriculture Crop Production Report ranked Oklahoma fourth in the US in cotton production with an estimated 1.1 million bales.
Last year, there were 5,55,000 acres of cotton harvested in the state. That number is up from 2,90,000 in 2016 and 2,05,000 in 2015.
Oklahoma, along with Texas and Kansas, represents the only part of the US where cotton acreage is both growing and stabilizing. Oklahoma is very quickly emerging as a force in cotton production.
Generally, the longer the growing season cotton enjoys, the better. However the newest acres being devoted to the crop are in some of the shortest season environments in the nation.
The Odisha government recently approved five investment proposals worth Rs 1,508 crore which will create employment opportunities for 2,155 people.
The proposals were approved at the 78th meeting of the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), chaired by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.
The SLSWCA accorded approval to IOCL to set up a polyester products manufacturing unit of 324 KTPA capacity at the textiles park in Bhadrak district.
The project, which will create direct and indirect employment for 185 people, will act as an anchor and help in supplying feedstock or raw material to the downstream technical textile industries which will come up in the textiles park.
The SLSWCA also approved the proposal of one of the leading manufacturers of aluminium extrusions to set up a greenfield manufacturing unit at the Angul Aluminium Park with a capacity of 40,000 metric tonnes (MT) per annum.
Odisha is one of the largest producers of sweet potato, recording 16.38 lakh ton in 2016-17. Sweet potato flour finds its use in Food Processing Industries.
The fifth investment proposal approved by the SLSWCA was that of a Kolkata-based company which will invest Rs 62.1 crore to establish an integrated cold chain service unit at the seafood park at Deras in Khordha district.
Jimmy Choo is upbeat over the luxury footwear brand’s prospects and is working hard to widen its appeal to millennial consumers as well as retaining its core, slightly older customer base.
The company has expanded its accessories design team and will transition out of older accessories groups.
Jimmy Choo’s pro-forma revenue is expected to rise around ten per cent in fiscal 2019. That sales rise is predicted to come on the back of its red carpet activity, as well as on continuing development of its core 24/7 collection and on more trend-focused fashion active offerings being added to the wider range.
On the store front, the company plans to increase the pace of openings adding around 30 net new locations in fiscal 2019. Jimmy Choo believes there is meaningful opportunity to expand its global presence with a particular focus on Asia.
The new team is working diligently to introduce multiple new collections over the coming seasons.
Jimmy Choo hopes to be a billion dollar brand.
Indonesia saw an increase in textile production by eight per cent in the period January to March 2018.The increase was triggered by domestic demand and tightening of wholesale and other imports.
After the policy of bulk import curbing, the performance of textile and textile products in the second half of 2017 rose to reach a 2.5 per cent growth from the previous year.
The industry now wants an integrated cluster and close to the source of raw materials; a tightening of textile imports; affordable factory rental rates; upstream and downstream industries integrated in one region.
Indonesia hopes to triple textile and textile product exports in the next five years. If this happens, this sector will be Indonesia’s largest non-oil export contributor and create jobs for six million people.
In 2016, apparel exports from this southeast Asian nation decreased 3.2 per cent due to several challenges including high logistics costs and gas and power tariffs being higher than other competitor countries.
At present, the US is the largest clothing importer from Indonesia. If the country were to lobby with the US to expand its Generalised System of Preferences to include more Indonesian apparel and accessories, this would facilitate the entry of more Indonesian products into the US at lower tariffs.
Guess net revenues for the quarter was up 14.7 per cent. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 7.7 per cent.
By region, the Americas retail revenues decreased 2.1 per cent in constant currency, while comp sales including e-commerce increased one per cent. Wholesale revenues locally surged 11.3 per cent in constant currency. European revenues increased 9.1 per cent in constant currency, while comp sales including e-commerce increased one per cent and Asian revenues rose 25.1 per cent as comp sales including e-commerce gained 15 per cent in constant currency. Licensing revenues increased 23.5 per cent.
Guess was also able to expand the company’s operating margin, despite cost pressures related to its transition to its new distribution center in Europe.
Operating margin in Asia improved by 430 basis points as it continues to leverage its infrastructure investments in China and Japan. In the Americas, the company ended the quarter with positive comps while being significantly less promotional. This translated into a 910 basis point improvement in operating margin for the Americas retail segment.
For the second quarter Guess expects net revenues to rise 14 per cent to 15.5 per cent. For fiscal 2019, revenues are expected to rise 8.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent.
The German pavilion at Techtextil North America was a real eye-catcher.
Visitors were very interested in exhibitors’ products. They gained potential customers and were able to make numerous high-grade contacts. The level of interest shown in German highly innovative e-textile solutions, which are completely new in the sector, was very high.
In addition to the appealing exhibition stand concept and the excellent organisation, the companies taking part were particularly pleased with the high visitor standard.
Besides gaining new customers, the focus of the companies taking part in High-Tex from Germany was on cultivating customer relations. The German pavilion gave them a good opportunity to get to know the US market better.
The companies taking part in High-Tex from Germany made their presentations on around 1,300 sq mts of exhibition space with their own exhibition stands, with selected exhibits on a central Plaza.
Additionally, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research, the Association of the Finishing, Yarns, Woven Fabrics and Technical Textiles Industry and the German American Chamber of Commerce provided insights into current research projects and offered information about the sector.
High-Tex from Germany was a good starting point for cultivating contacts with customers in the United States.
India’s retail market is said to be the world’s third largest consumer economy.
The Indian retail industry has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest global destination in the retail space. It accounts for over ten per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and around eight per cent of employment.
Various initiatives to enhance the retail industry in India are seen as a positive step forward. Demonetization slowed down business across the country but with the Indian customer’s growing interest for global brands and quality shopping experience, brands’ commitment to the Indian market remains high and the overall market continues to be positive.
Brick-and-mortar vs online is not a debate anymore. The kirana store has survived. The typical Indian consumer uses both online and offline touch-points. Brands should find the right mix of channels and offer the strategic blend of online–offline options to customers. Neighborhood stores which have a huge loyalty base can lure younger customers by going online.
Malls are definitely seen as the preferred shopping destination of the consumer as the customer can hang out with entertainment and food chains available around.
Compared to high streets, malls witnessed an increase in lease rentals and land prices.
Brands have to balance their presence between malls and high streets.
