FW
Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) has raised its 2025 export target for textiles, garments, and yarn to a range of $47 billion to $48 billion. In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s textile and garments exports increased by 8.5 per cent Y-o-Y.
Combined with a strong order flow, this has given VITAS confidence to raise its initial forecast.
Many Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises have already secured a substantial number of orders for the entire year, providing a stable foundation for production and export activities.
The industry has expanded its export reach to new markets, including Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and countries in the ASEAN region, which helps mitigate risks from over-reliance on traditional markets like the US and EU.
Vietnam is leveraging its extensive network of new-generation FTAs, such as the EVFTA and CPTPP, to gain preferential tariffs and increase its competitiveness in major global markets.
Ongoing shifts in global trade dynamics have led many international buyers to diversify their sourcing away from other major textile producers, with Vietnam being a primary beneficiary of this trend.
Vietnamese companies are increasingly shifting from the traditional cut-make-trim (CMT) model to higher-value methods like FOB (free on board), ODM (original design manufacturing), and OBM (original brand manufacturing), which boosts the value of their exports.
The industry is actively investing in modern technology, digital transformation, and sustainable production practices to meet the increasingly strict environmental and quality requirements of major export markets.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the sector faces some challenges, including potential impacts from evolving trade policies and reliance on imported raw materials. However, VITAS believes, with strategic planning and continued government support, the industry is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious 2025 export goal.
Zegna Group reported a 53 per cent increase in net profit to €48 million in H1, FY25, despite a slight overall revenue decline. The company's revenues declined by 2 per cent to €928 million. This was largely due to the strong performance of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel, which saw 6 per cent organic growth.
The company's gross profit was €626 million, with a gross profit margin of 67.5 per cet. Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) was €69 million, reflecting a margin of 7.4 per cent.
The Zegna segment showed a particularly strong performance, with its operating profit improving by 150 basis points to 14.3 per cent. This strength helped offset the negative impact from strategic transformations at the Thom Browne and Tom Ford Fashion brands.
According to Ermenegildo ‘Gildo’ Zegna, Chairman and CEO, Zegna Group, these results prove the strength of their strategic focus on the DTC channel and improving operational efficiency across all three brands. He emphasized on the company's commitment to investing in long-term growth projects.
The CEO further noted, despite industry challenges and currency pressures, the company remains confident in achieving its 2027 goals, thanks to the strength of its supply chain, brand authenticity, and clear vision.
American fashion holding company that owns Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, Tapestry, Inc has announced new long-term financial targets for FY27-28. The company projects mid-single-digit annual revenue growth, an operating margin of over 22 per cent by FY28, and a low double-digit earnings per share (EPS) growth over the period.
Tapestry expects to generate $4 billion in adjusted free cash flow between FY26 and FY28. The company has also reaffirmed its previously issued FY26 outlook, which remains unchanged.
Tapestry has set specific targets for its individual brands. The company expects Coach to achieve a three-year mid-single-digit revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and expand its margins to the mid-30 per cent range. The brand has also set an ambitious goal to reach $10 billion in revenue.
The brand Kate Spade is forecast to return to profitable growth in FY27, with revenue growth accelerating to a mid-single-digit and a high single-digit margin in FY28.
In addition to its brand-specific goals, Tapestry plans to return $4 billion to shareholders by FY28, which represents 100 per cent of its adjusted free cash flow over the period. The company will maintain an annual dividend of $1.60 per share in FY26 and aims to repurchase approximately $3 billion in stock under a new buyback program.
Owner of brands like Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta, Gap Inc is foraying into the beauty industry.
The company will soon launch a pilot program this fall in 150 Old Navy stores, offering customers a curated selection of beauty and personal care products. Some of these stores will have dedicated beauty sections with trained staff.
Gap Inc. plans a full-scale launch in 2026, including expanding the beauty business at Old Navy and creating new product lines for its other brands.
This move follows Gap Inc's recent revitalization under the leadership of Richard Dickson, CEO who has improved the company's relevance and financial performance. The company is also expanding its accessories business after a strong customer response. For example, Old Navy recently released its first handbag line, designed by Zac Posen, Executive Vice President and Creative Director, Gap Inc.
Parent company of brands like Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti, Spanish fast fashion company, Inditex reported a ‘solid’ performance in H1, FY25.
The company’s sales for the six months ending in July rose 1.6 per cent Y-o-Y to €18.357 billion. While this might seem modest, the increase was a more encouraging 5.1 per cent when calculated at a constant exchange rate.
Inditex's gross profit for the period increased by 1.5 per cent to €10.7 billion. Its EBITDA rose by 1.5 per cent to €5.1 billion while net income grew by 0.8 per cent to €2.8 billion.
Zara remains the company's largest brand by a significant margin, with sales of €13.15 billion. Other brands also contributed to the overall results. The sales of Bershka rose to €1.438 billion while Stradivarius sales reached €1.327 billion. Pull&Bear sales hit €1.158 billion while sales of the brand Oysho increased to €389 million. Meanwhile Massimo Dutti saw a slight sales decline to €895 million.
Europe remains the company's largest market, accounting for 50.7 per cent of sales, followed by the Americas (17.8 per cent), and Asia and the rest of the world (16 per cent). Sales in Spain comprised 15.5 per cent of the total.
Inditex has started its H2, FY25 with strong momentum. Store and online sales in constant currency grew 9 per cent between August 1 and September 7, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year.
The company plans to continue optimizing its store network, with an expected 5 per cent growth in annual gross space over 2025-2026. Combined with strong online sales, this strategy is expected to drive further productivity gains. In H1, FY25 alone, Inditex opened new stores in 35 markets and completed major refurbishments and relocations for flagship stores, including Zara in Madrid and the Trafford Centre in Manchester.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently led a delegation on a ‘Circular Textile Trade Mission’ to The Netherlands
Based on the theme, ‘Together for a Circular Fashion Tomorrow,’ the mission was jointly launched by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka.
The goal of this four-day mission was to foster partnerships in key areas of a circular textile economy, including textile recycling, waste management, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
During this mission, the Bangladeshi delegation attended high-level seminars on circular policies, funding, and technological innovations. They also visited several pioneering Dutch companies known for their expertise in textile recycling and closed-loop production systems, such as Brightfiber Inside, Wieland Textiles, SaXcell, and Frankenhuis.
The group also toured the Circular Textile Lab at Saxion University of Applied Sciences to observe advanced prototyping facilities for recycled yarns and fabrics. The insights gained from these visits are expected to help Bangladesh’s textile industry in its transition toward more sustainable and circular production models.
The delegation also participated in Circular Textile Days, a European platform that connects global brands, recyclers, innovators, and technology providers. This event provided a valuable opportunity for networking, matchmaking, and showcasing Bangladesh's own sustainability initiatives on an international stage.
The BGMEA delegation was led by Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice-President and included directors, as well as leading apparel manufacturers and recyclers from Bangladesh. The association's leadership role in this mission underscores its commitment to the Sustainability Vision 2030, which focuses on circularity, emission reduction, and a transition to a greener economy.
A publicly traded e-commerce and fashion company, Digital Brands Group (DGBI) has partnered with a leading platform for creator-powered commerce, Amaze. Through this collaboration, Digital Brands Group will provide Amaze with an access to their Los Angeles facilities to produce high-quality, custom apparel and athleisure wear within the U.S.
The partnership builds on a previous announcement from April 2025, when Digital Brands Group became the first third-party brand on Amaze’s Teespring Marketplace. This new manufacturing alliance strengthens the relationship and provides creators with a reliable domestic partner.
According to Aaron Day, Chairman and CEO, Amaze Holdings, the timing of this expansion is crucial as tariff policies are shifting and the de minimis exception is phasing out.
Many creators are looking for trusted, local manufacturing partners. This new domestic manufacturing capability will help Amaze's customers avoid potential cost increases linked to global supply chain issues. Day notes.
By adding these new production capabilities to its platform, Amaze is further streamlining the creator experience, from design and sales to production and delivery. The new service is now available to all creators.
India’s textile and apparel (T&A) companies need to focus on innovation to boost their export targets, said Ashwin Chandran, Deputy Chairman, Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) at a webinar on innovative products. The seminar was co-hosted by CITI, the Wool Research Association (WRA) and the Finland-based company Infinited Fiber.
Chandran emphasized, scaling up innovation and embedding sustainability in operations will help Indian textile and apparel exporters move up the value chain in the global market, which is valued at an estimated $900 billion. This is especially important as the industry works toward its export target of $100 billion by 2030, particularly given recent challenges like the US imposing a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.
The US is India's largest market for textile and apparel exports, accounting for nearly 28 per cent of total revenue. In FY24-25, these exports were worth almost $11 billion.
Domestic customers are also increasingly seeking high-performance, functional, and eco-friendly textile products. India aims to grow its domestic textile market to $250 billion by 2030 from its current size of approximately $180 billion.
To foster a stronger innovation ecosystem, Chandran emphasized on the importance of companies piloting products developed by research institutions. Many innovations fail to reach the market because they are not commercialized, he pointed out.
At the webinar, the WRA showcased a lightweight cricket pad and a smart t-shirt that measures real-time health parameters. Infinited Fiber demonstrated ‘Infinna,’ a cotton-like fiber made entirely from textile waste that can be recycled infinitely, representing a breakthrough in circular economy practices.
Telangana plans to soon introduce a new textile policy, says D Sridhar Babu, IT and Industries Minister, He also invited apparel industry leaders from Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, to establish new garment units in Telangana.
During his visit to Coimbatore and Tiruppur, Babu praised Tiruppur as the ‘Knitwear Capital of India,’ noting, nearly 10,000 garment units in these cities employ hundreds of thousands of people. He highlighted, about 90 per cent of India's cotton-based exports, including casual wear, sportswear, and socks, are produced in the region.
The minister assured industry leaders, Telangana's Tier-II, III cities have world-class infrastructure and are ideal for textile and apparel businesses. He also emphasized the state's abundant supply of long-staple cotton, a key raw material for high-quality garments.
Sridhar Babu has invited Tiruppur's industry leaders to a round-table conference that will be chaired by Thummala Nageswara Rao, Agriculture and Textiles Minister, Telangana. This meeting will be a crucial step in finalizing Telangana’s new textile policy, he said.
The minister also pointed out, recent 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US have disrupted apparel exports, making it a critical time for the industry to explore new strategies and opportunities.
During his trip, Babu met with several key figures from the industry, including the Chairman and Managing Director, Hero Fashion Group (Ramraj Cottons), Secretary-General, South India Mills Association (SIMA), and representatives from the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association. He assured them, the Telangana government is committed to providing all necessary support to investors, highlighting the state's industry-friendly policies and ease of doing business.
From the runways of Paris to the digital storefronts of global e-commerce, the fashion industry is changing. As consumers increasingly prioritize personalized style, sustainable practices, and the perfect fit, the once-traditional sector is seeing a revitalization of the tailoring and alteration services market. A new report by The Business Research Company reveals, this specialized industry is set to get a boost, due to the very same trends driving the wider fashion world.
The report, titled ‘Tailoring And Alteration Services Global Market Report 2025’, reveals a strong market on the upswing. The market size is projected to grow from $9.4 billion in 2024 to $9.89 billion in 2025, at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2 per cent. This growth isn't just a fleeting trend; the report predicts continued rise, with the market expected to reach $11.97 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 4.9 per cent.
The perfect fit for a changing consumer
The report highlights several factors that are catalyst for market growth, many of them rooted in evolving consumer behavior. The demand for personalized and properly fitted clothes is foremost among them. With the rise of fast fashion and mass-produced garments, a well-fitting, custom-tailored piece has become a symbol of both quality and individuality. This is particularly true for segments like formal and professional clothing, where an impeccable fit is essential.
Table: Market drivers for tailoring and alteration services
|
Driver |
Description |
|
Personalized Fashion |
Consumers seek unique, custom-fitted garments that reflect their individual style. |
|
Sustainability & Longevity |
A growing desire to reduce textile waste by repairing and extending the life of clothing. |
|
Increased Disposable Income |
A rise in consumer spending allows for investment in tailored and high-quality clothing. |
|
Expanding Digital Platforms |
The growth of online shopping and digital tailoring platforms makes services more accessible. |
|
Fashion Trends & Influencers |
The promotion of bespoke, well-fitted attire by social media personalities drives demand. |
Perhaps the most compelling factor, however, is the direct link between the flourishing fashion industry and the demand for tailoring and alteration services. As the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) reported in November 2023, the UK's fashion and textile sector contributed $81 billion (£62 billion) to the country's GDP, supporting 1.3 million jobs. This economic powerhouse, led by increased consumer spending and the boom of online shopping, creates a constant flow of garments that need customized modifications to ensure the perfect fit and customer satisfaction.
Alliances and digital threads
The industry is not just growing; it's evolving. Leading companies are forging alliances to meet new consumer expectations. A case study from the UK report is the collaboration between retail giant Marks & Spencer and Sojo, a UK-based clothing repair and tailoring firm. In June 2024, they launched the ‘M&S Fixed by Sojo’ service, which offers online clothing repairs and tailoring with a 7 to 10-day turnaround. This initiative directly addresses a crucial market insight from the report: only 10 per cent of consumers are confident in repairing their own clothes, while 60 per cent are actively looking for more sustainable retail alternatives.
The report also anticipates technological breakthroughs that will further disrupt the market. The advent of 3D scanning, smart tailoring solutions, and virtual fitting rooms are set to revolutionize the way customers interact with tailoring services, making the process more efficient and accessible.
A pattern seen worldwide
While North America held the largest market share in 2024, the report identifies the Asia-Pacific region as the fastest-growing market in the forecast period. The global reach of this growth is reflected in the diverse list of market players, from luxury brands like Saks Fifth Avenue and Ermenegildo Zegna to online platforms like Etsy Inc. and specialized services like Sojo and Hemster Inc.
The tailoring and alteration services market is no longer a niche craft; it's an essential component of the modern fashion ecosystem. By providing a perfect fit, promoting sustainability, and embracing technological innovation, this industry is stitching together a compelling narrative of growth, resilience, and a tailored future for fashion.
