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Brands are generally paying less for garments from Bangladesh today than they did before the Rana Plaza disaster.
The price of cotton boys’ and men’s trousers going from Bangladesh to the US has fallen 13 per cent in the years since the disaster. In the same period, the price paid for T-shirts exported to the European Union has fallen about five per cent.
The US accounts for about 18 per cent of Bangladesh’s clothing exports, while nearly two-thirds go to Europe. That happened even as cotton prices went up more than 20 per cent between 2015 and 2017.
The price drop over the last five years underscores the dynamics at play in the global garment supply chain. As clothing sales have become increasingly concentrated in the hands of massive multinational retailers who place gigantic orders, the buyer’s power—and ability to get cents shaved off the cost of an item of clothing—has become increasingly concentrated too.
This fact underscores the power amassed by one end of the supply chain—an imbalance that is inherently dangerous to workers. Previously, manufacturers saved costs by working out of spaces that weren’t purpose-built for that. After Rana Plaza, that may not happen as much. Instead, as price pressures continue, they’ll look to save from more negotiable costs, like wages, or how often maintenance crucial to safety is carried out.
Arunachal Pradesh Textiles Minister Tamiyo Taga has advised the centre to make efforts to encourage textile industries in Arunachal.
During a textile ministers’ meeting in the national capital to boost the handloom-handicrafts sector, Taga requested Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani to set up hosiery and apparel manufacturing units in every district of Arunachal Pradesh.
She also emphasized on establishment of power looms, yarn dyeing processing units, raw material banks, silk spinning mills, and crafts villages with modern wayside amenities in each district, besides a one-time grant of infrastructure development fund and a one-time fund for installment of improved technology inputs.
Taga explained Irani of the pending schemes in the textile ministry which are assured but not yet approved.
The Union Minister informed that some schemes are drafted slowly “due to new guidelines and rules” but assured that all the schemes would be sanctioned soon.
Products from Mozambique will have access to the European Union market without the imposition of quotas or payment of customs duties. The Mozambican government and the European Union (EU) delegation in the country launched on Friday the implementation plan of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between six countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the EU.
Mozambique exports to the European Union mainly aluminium, agricultural products such as sugar, tobacco, nuts and vegetables, as well as fish products, notably shrimp and imports manufactured goods, machinery, means of transport and chemicals. The APE guarantees access to the European market without customs duties or quotas, for all goods coming from Mozambique, except for weapons and armaments.
Under the new agreement, a textile product can enter EU tax-free if at least one phase of its production, such as weaving or knitting, has occurred in one of the countries.
Over a period of 10 years, Mozambique will gradually remove customs duties on about 74 per cent of its imports from the European Union.
The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) is hopeful of the Union Government reducing the hank yarn obligation for textile mills soon as demand for the yarn in hank form has reduced after implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and SIMA submitted a memorandum to the Union Textile Minister Smriti Zubin Irani.
The associations pointed out that under GST, hank and cone yarn attract uniform 5 per cent duty. Earlier, hank yarn attracted 0 per cent duty. Handlooms can take input credit of the duty paid on yarn.
The government can give the subsidy to the National Handloom Development Corporation directly for the hank yarn purchased and supplied to the weaving units.
The number of handlooms in operation in 2002 was 31.37 lakh and in 2017 it is estimated to have reduced to 21.46 lakh. The proportionate obligation is almost 16 per cent.
The obligatory quantity of yarn required is 929.04 million kg in 2002 and 1596.23 million kg in 2017.
In 2002 the number of handlooms in operation was 31.37 lakh and in 2017 it is estimated to have reduced to 21.46 lakh. The proportionate obligation is almost 16 per cent. The obligatory quantity of yarn required is 929.04 million kg in 2002 and 1596.23 million kg in 2017. A study by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in 2008 showed that 38 per cent of hank yarn is diverted to the power loom sector. So there is no need to continue with 40 per cent obligation. The associations had appealed to the Ministry to reduce it to 10 per cent.
Myntra has come up with Avengers collection inspired by the upcoming American superhero film “Avengers: Infinity War” that will be exclusively available on Myntra. The collection consists of a line of exclusive graphic tees celebrating fandom with superheroes from the Marvel universe coming together to create the biggest and most exciting movie merchandise for Avengers Infinity War. The Infinity War collection is set to make a mark in fashion and will be exclusively available on Myntra.
All the powerful characters gel together with a strong graphic handwriting offering a special collection for the superhero followers. Mostly in shades of black, white and blue, it covers individual characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man and Thanos to logos, quotes and statements. The collection is much more than plain graphic tees and through this range the fashion quotient gets geared up to the next level with the execution of specialized techniques.
Myntra is India's leading platform for fashion brands and pioneer in m-commerce play. Myntra has partnered with over 2000 leading fashion and lifestyle brands in the country to offer a wide range in latest branded fashion and lifestyle wear. Myntra services over 19,000 pin codes across the country. Myntra at present the preferred shopping destination in India.
Canadian denim brand Triarchy has become a fully sustainable jeans brand. Triarchy is dedicated to educating the world on the waste and pollution caused by global denim production. With a mission to reduce the amount of water used in the creation of denim, Triarchy successfully produces a globally accessible contemporary ready-to-wear collection of sustainable denim pieces for men and women. Using repurposed materials, recycled goods and sustainable washing and bleaching processes, Triarchy has saved over 1,000,000 gallons of water to date.
Triarchy is continuing offer denim jeans, jackets and dresses using over 85 per cent recycled water during production. Relying on nature, Triarchy’s production unit in Mexico City uses natural bacteria, which consume the indigo before re-introducing it to the wash process. Triarchy’s Atelier Denim line is made exclusively of vintage denim and Triarchy jeans are made from sustainably sourced and washed material.
The brand’s mission is to shine a light on irresponsible denim manufacturing practices and forge a new way in making jeans. The brand’s labels are recycled leather and its woven labels are made from recycled water bottles. Triarchy has been made fully sustainable. The brand switched from cotton denim to cotton-tencel denim, which reduces water consumption to 1,300 gallons per pair.
Global Sources Fashion is on in Hong Kong from April 27 to 30. This is Hong Kong’s largest fashion sourcing event. Attendees can source fashion accessories, fabrics and apparel all under one roof. Global Sources Fashion features verified suppliers from major fashion manufacturing hubs including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The show hosts the largest collections of bags and luggage, footwear, and sports fashion in Hong Kong and Asia's largest scarves pavilion. Dedicated pavilions highlight quality fashion products from countries and regions including Vietnam, India, Jiangsu, Hunan Shaodong and Xiamen.
In addition to showcasing a wide range of products and suppliers from across Asia, the show is seeing growing participation from branded companies. It will host more than 500 exhibitors promoting their own designs and brands. Amazon and other online sellers will find a variety of products with more than 65 per cent of exhibitors able to accept small orders.
Thousands of buyers are expected to attend the show including Adidas, Avery Dennison, Colette, eBay, Fossil, Gap, Mothercare, Potpourri, Ralph Lauren, S Oliver, Sears, Target Australia, Tiffany, United Colors of Benetton and Vivarte. There is a dedicated area for fashion startups and up and coming designers to introduce their creations. Models will wear the hottest designs from exhibitors and rising designers.
Peruvian textiles and apparel exports could grow six to eight per cent in 2018. This expected to rise further due to promotional efforts launched four years ago in markets such as the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Europe and Asia.
Heirs of an ancient textile tradition, Peruvian apparel makers have seen their industry make a recovery in recent years, including export growth of 6.1 per cent in 2017. The country hopes to do $2 billion worth of exports, which it did a decade ago. Peruvian exporters include some 30 firms that have been registered as eco-friendly apparel makers and have seen buyers interest grow. Then there are some 40 firms that specialize in crafts, decorative items and jewelry.
The US and Brazil are among the main destinations for Peruvian apparel exports, while alpaca garments have a strong presence in Europe and Asia. The first alpaca store in China will mark a full year in 2018 and the first Peru Textiles store will open in Brazil second half of this year. Peruvian brands are focusing on sustainable fashion, innovation and trends. Peru is known for its flagship cotton and alpaca fibers. Buyers are also interested in acquiring Peruvian brands.
India exports less than one-third of its apparel production while tiny countries like Bangladesh or Vietnam export almost twice as much as India. India’s apparel exports grew around 35 per cent over the last five financial years. However, during the current year, there has been negative growth as of December 2017. The present market conditions indicate that during the full-year, negative growth will only be higher.
Imports into the country, on the other hand, increased by around 82 per cent during the last five years and by 20.64 per cent during April-December 2017. Indications are that the import surge will grow further during the rest of the year. The country’s major export markets have been sluggish because of a slowdown in global economy. During 2017, total garment imports into the US, which is India’s largest single export market, declined by 0.49 per cent compared to the previous year.
India has been specifically targeted by the US in the matter of export subsidies. Textile and clothing exports are likely to be among the first victims since that is an area where India is fairly competitive and has a significant presence in the US market.
Guess is looking to reduce the environmental threats that often result from making its jeans. The company has educated its employees about its commitment to support sustainable apparel manufacturing. It has also enrolled its designers and patternmakers into a sponsored class which includes coursework in sustainability through focusing on zero waste and circular design.
Guess’ denim products represent 20 per cent to 25 per cent of its business. Guess discovered that the processing of cotton was responsible for 64 per cent of the water used during the production of one denim jean. Communicating this message to its vendors is a major part of Guess pledge to decrease unnecessary water use during the manufacturing process for its denim. The new challenge lies in examining how its sources processed cotton and working with those suppliers who have not yet adopted best practices.
Guess’s annual revenues for fiscal year 2018 were $2.4 billion. Its premium denim retails at $100 dollars. Customers, in general, are millennials and increasingly Gen Z, who are known for caring about social and environmental responsibility. The brand believes its efforts will be embraced by its clientele.
