FW
Known for its high-quality, affordable basics, Japanese retailer Uniqlo plans to open a store at the Houston’s Memorial Hall in Texas.
The 21,647-sq-ft shop promises to be a treasure trove of stylish essentials for Texans. Its construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, marking a significant milestone for Uniqlo's U.S. expansion plans.
This isn't Uniqlo's first attempt at conquering Texas. Back in 2020, plans for a Galleria store fizzled out, possibly due to the pandemic's grip. But this time, it seems things are moving forward with full steam.
Founded in 1984 in Hiroshima, Japan, Uniqlo's journey began with a simple mission: offering casual, affordable clothing for everyone. The name itself is a playful blend of "unique" and "clothing," hinting at the brand's commitment to individuality within accessible fashion.
Today, Uniqlo boasts over 100 stores in Japan and a staggering global presence. Its first US store opened in New York City in 2005, and since then, the brand has steadily grown, with most of its stores concentrated in New York and Chicago.
The arrival of Uniqlo in Texas is exciting news for fashion enthusiasts who appreciate quality, affordability, and conscious consumerism. The Houston store is sure to become a popular destination for those seeking stylish basics and innovative wardrobe essentials. While the exact opening date and additional Texas locations remain under wraps, one thing's for sure: Uniqlo's Texas invasion has officially begun.
In December 2023, Uniqlo's parent company announced plans to accelerate its North American growth in 2024. This includes opening over 20 new stores across the US and Canada, with a focus on entering new markets. The goal is to have more than 200 Uniqlo stores in the U.S. by 2027.
With its upcoming edition just weeks away, Moda, the trusted fashion destination within Spring Fair, is set to reaffirm its status as one of the UK's longest-standing fashion trade shows. Running from 4th to 7th February 2024, the event anticipates over 35,000 buyers across sectors, providing a front-row seat to the latest trends and must-have looks across three key sectors: Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories, and Jewellery & Watch.
Discover new collections: A preview of exhibitors
The upcoming Moda edition promises a fresh edit, showcasing new season looks from renowned names such as Jayley, Lighthouse Clothing, and Peace of Mind (POM), alongside emerging brands like Lona Scott and EMU Australia. Over 200 exhibitors, including Soruka, Jessica Graaf, and Saloos, will present their on-trend products, offering buyers a diverse range of choices.
Moda fashion forecast 2024: A closer look at trends
Spotlighting the Clothing & Footwear market
The global apparel market is poised for continuous growth, with menswear and womenswear predicted to outperform other segments. As consumers return to the office, brands are adapting, creating collections that blend career clothing with comfort. McKinsey predicts a shift in consumer values in 2024, emphasizing increased travel influence on shopping priorities and a growing interest in creative influencers. Sustainability remains a priority, with eco-friendly practices gaining favor.
Accessories market: A beacon of rapid evolution
The global accessories market stands out as a rapidly evolving segment, mirroring changing consumer preferences. Brands need to stay innovative, offering on-trend, distinctive pieces that redefine outfits. The demand for accessories, especially in the UK, France, and the US, is growing rapidly. Consumers seek versatility, leading brands to pivot towards designing durable products suitable for various occasions. Sustainability is a key focus, with brands incorporating responsible materials into their designs.
Jewellery market: Ancient art meets modern trends
Jewellery & Watch is a revenue-generating powerhouse within the accessories market. As gold experiences a resurgence in demand, brands are strategically aligning their jewellery mix with consumer preferences. Longevity and minimalism are becoming key considerations, with a focus on classic and timeless pieces. Moda will feature a range of exciting brands, both returning and new, catering to the diverse tastes of buyers.
Inspiring retail stage: A multifaceted experience
To provide a fashion-forward experience, Spring Fair will host catwalk shows at the Inspiring Retail Stage in Moda - Hall 2. Nicole Higgins, a distinguished industry veteran, will conduct a Strategic Buying Masterclass, offering insights into successful retail buying. Dame Zandra Rhodes, a pioneer in fashion, will engage in a fireside chat, exploring her remarkable journey in design, leadership, and innovation.
In conclusion: An unmissable opportunity
Integrating Moda into Spring Fair has created an unmissable opportunity for buyers to access the latest ranges, trends, and innovations across the entire lifestyle spectrum. With buyers from global retailers and independent stores, Spring Fair aims to provide an unparalleled experience, allowing visitors to explore thousands of the latest products across Home, Gift, Moda, and Everyday.
Giltex LLC, a pioneer of vertical integration in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus, has joined the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). This marks a significant step for the region, showcasing its commitment to global collaboration and information exchange.
ITMF Director General, Christian Schindler, hailed the integration as a testament to the textile industry's global reach and welcomed the desire for knowledge and networking. He emphasized ITMF's role in providing reliable data, insights, and potential partnerships to navigate challenging times and prepare for the future.
Giltex's Head of Procurement, Kanan Budagov, highlighted ITMF's unique platform for discussing pressing issues and trends, gaining critical industry knowledge, and collaborating across the entire textile value chain. He sees this collaboration as key to overcoming challenges and turning them into opportunities.
This union signifies the growing importance of international networks and information sharing for success in the dynamic global textile industry.
Archroma, a leading provider of specialty chemicals for sustainable solutions, is unveiling its cutting-edge environmentally conscious innovations at Colombiatex de Las Américas from January 23 to 25, 2024. Recognizing the Colombian textile and apparel sector's commitment to quality and sustainability, Archroma aims to strengthen its ties with enterprises driving the industry's sustainable growth in Latin America.
Highlighting its commitment to circular business practices, Archroma introduces "Super Systems+," a revolutionary concept designed to optimize productivity, enhance product value, and contribute positively to the environment. Dhirendra Gautam, VP Product Marketing and Strategy, emphasized that Super Systems+ integrates Archroma's extensive product portfolio, technical expertise, and processing experience to provide end-to-end solutions for specific applications, enabling brands and mills to improve productivity, sustainability, and market competitiveness.
The Super Systems+ solutions cater to popular end-use segments, offering exceptional performance and meeting sustainability targets through cleaner chemistries. For instance, DIRESUL EVOLUTION BLACK reduces the environmental impact of black denim by 57%, while DENISOL PURE INDIGO 30 LIQ provides aniline-free pre-reduced indigo dye for authentic blue denim in a planet-friendly manner. Archroma’s EarthColors technology utilizes biosynthetic dyes from non-edible natural waste for circularity, contributing to natural shades on cellulosic-based fibers.
Archroma's ERIOPON E3-SAVE all-in-one auxiliary enables next-generation processing of polyester and its blends, achieving significant savings in water, energy, and time. Furthermore, Archroma's Super Systems+ leverage fluorine-free durable water repellents for weather protection and stain resistance, aligning with economic and environmental sustainability.
Colombiatex, a premier global platform showcasing sustainable practices in the textile and apparel industry, attracts over 500 exhibitors and 12,000 buyers from South America and worldwide, reflecting the growing importance of sustainable innovation in the sector.
Ludhiana, India's garment hub, grapples with rising imports of man-made fibers (MMFs) from China, threatening local weavers, spinners, and exporters. Cheap Chinese polyester cloth undercuts domestic prices by 10-15%, raising concerns of job losses and business closures.
Manoj Jain of Vallabh Yarns demands government protection for Ludhiana's hosiery industry against rampant fabric dumping from China. Unchecked imports threaten to cripple the sector, he warns.
Ludhiana enjoys advantages like ample skilled labor and accessible raw materials, making it an ideal hosiery destination. However, alleged mislabeling of Chinese polyester as cotton (subject to lower duty) further compounds the issue.
Improving credit access for small hosiery units could also boost the sector, suggests Sudhir Nayyar of Kapil Hosiery Works.
With its prime location and strong entrepreneurial spirit, Ludhiana's hosiery industry needs urgent support to overcome this critical challenge and preserve its legacy.
The sportswear giant known for its sleek designs and fierce marketing campaigns, Puma has being named as a Top Employer globally, across four regions, and in a 24 countries. Bestowed by the Top Employers Institute, this prestigious recognition is a testament to Puma’s unwavering commitment to creating a workplace that's truly exceptional.
The secret behind Puma’s success lies in a multifaceted approach to employee well-being and satisfaction. From a diverse training buffet to free gym access and sports courses, the brand invests heavily in its people's professional growth and physical fitness.
With work-life balance being a living reality in Puma, the brand offers flexible hours, mobile office options, and part-time/sabbatical flexibility to help employees to carve out their ideal work-life blend. It also offers dedicated parent-child offices, nursing rooms, daycare spots, and even summer camps for parents.
Dietmar Knoess, Vice President-People and Organisation, sums up, Puma is one of only 17 companies globally to receive this Top Employer award. This further propels us to keep making Puma the most fantastic place to work in the world.
When it comes to employee care, Puma truly walks the talk. The brand’s dedication to creating a thriving, supportive, and enriching work environment helps it attract and retain the best of workforce.
The textile industry in Sircilla, is facing a major crisis. Most powerloom units in the town have been shut down due to lack of orders and a surplus of unsold cloth. This has caused distress among the owners of the units and thousands of powerloom workers.
The Sircilla Polyester Cloth Manufacturing Welfare Association attributes the current situation to a lack of private orders, a slump in prices, and a pile-up of unsold cloth. The association hopes that the government will place bulk orders for school uniform cloth and Bathukamma sarees, which would help to restart the closed units.
KT Rama Rao, Former Minister and MLA, Sircilla has appealed to the government to support the textile industry in the town. He said, the industry has seen great growth and expansion since the formation of Telangana, and that it has the potential to compete with the Tirupur cluster in Tamil Nadu.
The crisis in Sircilla is a reminder of the challenges facing the textile industry in India. The industry is facing competition from cheaper imports, as well as from the rising cost of raw materials. The government has taken some steps to support the industry, such as introducing a duty-free import scheme for man-made fibres and yarns. However, more needs to be done to help the industry compete in the global market.
Gujarat's textile industry is buzzing with optimism this season, fueled by a robust arrival of cotton at market yards. Contrary to last year's sluggish pace, farmers are readily selling their crop despite lower prices, leading to a healthy 38 lakh bales (170kg each) reaching market yards from October 1 to January 15.
This translates to an impressive daily average of 45,000 bales, contributing significantly to India's total cotton arrivals of 1.35 crore bales by mid-January. This surge in supply is a welcome change from 2022, when farmers held back their crops, leading to a price spike of Rs 1.10 lakh per candy due to scarcity.
As a positive sign for the entire value chain including farmers, spinners and textile manufacturers, Gujarat will see around 85 lakh bales for pressing this season, says Ajay Shah, Secretary, GujCot Association.
Contributing to the improved sentiment are stable cotton prices. Good quality raw cotton fetches around Rs 1,450 per 20kg, while the lower quality variety commands Rs 1,250. Processed cotton prices have also remained steady at Rs 55,000 per candy for a month, providing much-needed stability to the industry.
Ensuring better capacity utilisation in the spinning sector, the stable prices improve market conditions for everyone involved from farmers to weavers and garment manufacturers, adds Naresh Sharma, Secretary, Maskati Cloth Market Association.
Further bolstering the optimism is the recent surge in cotton yarn export orders. The Spinners Association Gujarat (SAG) reports a significant increase in demand since December, indicating a revival of international interest in Indian textiles.
With a strong cotton season underway, stable prices, and rising export orders, Gujarat's textile industry is poised for a significant rebound. The optimism is palpable, and the future looks bright for the state's textile players.
The Indian government has approved 11 R&D projects worth Rs 103 crore to boost the country's technical textiles sector. This move aims to accelerate the development of indigenous technical textiles products, making India self-reliant in this strategic field.
Union Minister for Textiles, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and industry in this endeavour. He chaired the 8th Meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) where the project approvals were announced.
One of the key projects focuses on developing high-strength carbon fiber for strategic applications. This will reduce India's dependence on imports and strengthen its defence capabilities. The other projects cover a diverse range of areas within technical textiles. These projects will be led by renowned institutions and research bodies like CSIR-NAL, ATIRA, NITRA, IIT Delhi, ICT Mumbai, NIT-Jalandhar, and Colorjet India.
The technical textiles industry has immense potential to contribute to India's economic growth and strategic autonomy. It is used in various sectors like defense, healthcare, automobiles, construction, and infrastructure. By supporting the development of this sector, the government is paving the way for a more self-reliant and technologically advanced India.
While Türkiye's overall exports edged up in 2023, the textile and raw materials sector faced a 2.3% decline, slipping from $12.9 billion to $12.6 billion. The biggest drop came in December, with a 6.2% decrease to $927 million.
Despite the industry's struggles, some positive signals emerged. Exports to Iran surged 29.9% in December, making it the only major market to see growth. Additionally, garment sub-industry exports and fibre exports both increased.
The EU remained the top destination for Turkish textiles, although exports there shrank 17.6% in 2023. Italy retained its spot as the top individual market, despite a 24.9% decline compared to the previous year.
Key product categories also saw mixed results. Woven fabrics remained the dominant export, while technical textiles dipped slightly. Yarn exports fell, but synthetic filament yarns performed well. However, knitted fabrics and home textiles experienced significant declines.
Looking ahead, the Turkish textile industry faces challenges like inflation and global economic uncertainty. However, its resilience and adaptability have been proven in the past, and positive developments like the Iranian market growth offer hope for future recovery.
