FW
As the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) unfolds in Beijing, the spotlight is on China's textile and apparel sector, a critical pillar of the nation's robust supply chain network and a major contributor to the global economy. The country has consolidated its position as a dominant textile and apparel industry player, with the world's largest production capacity and export volume. This success is due to several reasons like scale, technological advancements, a supporting ecosystem among others.
The way to success
China's leads the world in textiles sector with over 40 per cent of the world's 500 major industrial products, holding the top spot in global manufacturing for 14 consecutive years. This massive scale translates into competitive pricing and a vast array of product offerings. What works for them is that they have built a comprehensive supporting ecosystem for the textile industry that covers raw material production, textile machinery manufacturing, and efficient logistics networks. This integrated approach streamlines production processes and enhances overall efficiency.
What’s more, the industry is increasingly embracing automation and advanced manufacturing technologies to improve productivity and product quality. Investments in research and development are driving innovation in areas like sustainable textile production and smart manufacturing.
Table: Overview of China’s textile and apparel market
|
Metric |
Value |
Source |
|
Global textile and apparel market share |
31.6% (2023) |
Sheng Lu Fashion |
|
Total value of textile and apparel exports |
$164 billion (2023) |
Sheng Lu Fashion |
|
Domestic consumption of textile and apparel production |
70-80% |
Sheng Lu Fashion |
|
Number of R&D projects in the textile and apparel sector |
Over 10,000 (2022) |
Statista |
Despite facing challenges such as rising labor costs and increasing global competition, China's textile and apparel sector has been resilient. The industry is actively pursuing strategies to maintain its competitive edge by shifting focus to higher-value products. It’s moving away from basic garments, and manufacturers are focusing on producing higher-value items like functional apparel and fashion-forward designs. With growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, the industry is investing in sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials and reducing water and energy consumption. The focus is also on brand building. Chinese textile and apparel companies are actively developing their own brands to enhance their global recognition and capture a larger share of the value chain.
China's commitment to further integrating its textile and apparel sector into the global supply chain is evident. The CISCE serves as a platform to showcase the industry's strengths, foster international collaborations, and explore new opportunities for growth. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, China's textile and apparel sector is poised to remain a vital thread in the fabric of the global economy.
US-based clothing company, American Eagle Outfitters Inc (AEO) has lowered its annual sales projection as the brand reported mixed results for Q3, FY24.
The group’s sales declined by 1 per cent to $1.29 billion during the 13 weeks before November 2, 2024. However, the company’s revenues increased by 3 per cent. Flagship brand of the group, American Eagle registered a 3 per cent decline in sales reaching $831.9 million during the quarter. In contrast, sales of the lingerie brand Aerie rose by 4 per cent to $410.4 million.
Despite effective cost-cutting measures, the group’s operating profit lowered by 15 per cent to $106.1 million while net profit declined by 17 per cent to $80.0 million.
Ambiguity over the demand for the upcoming Christmas season led the group to lower its sales projection for the current fiscal year with it now anticipating sales to grow by 1 per cent as against the earlier projection of 3 per cent.
EuRIC Textiles, European waste management association, FEAD, and retailer Decathlon have issued a joint position paper emphasising on the need for consistent application of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) to maximise its impact. These advocate for uniform rules and full participation from all stakeholders to eliminate loopholes and ensure effective implementation.
The position paper highlights the WFD revision as a key opportunity to standardise practices across the EU, enhance sector competitiveness, and address pressing challenges. These include global disruptions like the war in Ukraine, logistical hurdles in Africa, and the rapid rise of ultra-fast fashion.
The coalition has outlined critical priorities including establishing a level playing field for all actors in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, setting concrete criteria to differentiate between ‘used’ and ‘waste’ textiles and implementing well-designed EPR schemes to drive investment in recycling infrastructure and improve traceability of discarded textiles.
Claudia Mensi, President, FEAD, underscored the environmental and economic importance of textile recycling noting, EU discards five million tons of clothing annually, with only 1 per cent recycled into new garments. According to her textile recycling is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity which the industry and policymakers need to capitalise on through collaboration.
Emphasising on the need to scale up textile sorting and recycling, Julia Ettinger, Secretary General, EuRIC also recommended introduction of efficient EPR schemes. Emilie Mufflet, Sustainability Director, Decathlon termed the WFD revision a unique chance to foster innovation in textile waste management.
The coalition urged EU policymakers to expedite negotiations and finalise targeted revisions to the WFD, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and innovative textile waste industry.
At the recent 9th Empowered Program Committee (EPC) meeting, the Ministry of Textiles approved two start-ups under the ‘Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)’ scheme. Each of these start-ups has been granted funds worth approximately Rs 50 lakh (~$5.9 million) to support their innovation and entrepreneurship in technical textiles field.
Besides, the committee also allocated funds worth Rs 14 crore to six educational institutes to introduce technical textiles courses under the ‘General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles.
The approved start-up projects focus on the key strategic areas of sustainable textiles and medical textiles. The approved education institutes aim to introduce new B tech courses in different fields and applications of technical textiles including medical textiles, mobile textiles, geotextiles, geosynthetics, etc.
Buoyed by an early positive response to its holiday merchandise and a better-than-expected third quarter performance, Victoria’s Secret & Co has revised its annual outlook upwards.
As against its earlier forecast of a 1 per cent, the US-based largest lingerie retailer now anticipates revenues will grow by up to 2 per cent in FY24. Its adjusted operating income is projected to grow by 15 per cent to $345 million during the year as against previous estimates.
This marks the first earnings report under the leadership of Hillary Super, CEO who took the helm in August 2024 to spearhead the company’s turnaround. A former head of singer Rihanna-owned brand Savage X Fenty, Super has invigorated investor confidence, with the company’s stock rising significantly since her appointment.
Victoria’s Secret’s revenue for the Q3, FY24 ending November 2 rose to $1.35 billion as the brand adopted effective inventory management and cost control strategies, says Super. The brand’s improved outlook reflects the customers’ growing confidence in its ability to navigate challenges and leverage early holiday momentum for sustained growth.
Surpassing prior guidance of a 6 per cent decline, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger’s parent company, PVH Corp registered only a 5 per cent contraction in Q3, FY24 revenues to $2.255 billion. Driven by an improved sales execution and consumer engagement efforts, the company’s performance showed resilience amid global market challenges.
Global revenues of Tommy Hilfiger declined by 1 per cent with the 3 per cent decline in North America being offset by a flat performance in the international markets.
Calvin Klein’s sales contracted by 3 per cent due to a 9 per cent contraction in the brand’s sales in North America. The brand’s international revenues rose by 1 per cent.
Heritage Brands’ revenues plunged by 54 per cent as sales from women’s intimates business lowered by 44 per cent. Revenues from the direct-to-consumer business remained flat while, driven by reduced sales in Europe and North America alongside the impact of the Heritage Brands’ divestiture, the company’s wholesale revenues declined by 8 per cent. The company’s net income during the period dropped to $131.9 million as against a net income of $161.6 million in the same period last year.
Highlighting the company’s achievements under the PVH+ Plan, Stefan Larsson, CEO, PVH Corp, emphasised on strong consumer engagement and product performance. According to him, the company maintained strong profitability in North America while it improved wholesale orders through quality-of-sales initiatives in the Europe market. The company delivered growth across all channels in the Asia Pacific market.
Looking forward, PVH Corp aims to promote the PVH+ Plan for sustainable and profitable growth. Last month, the company added strategic expertise to its leadership by appointment Jesper Andersen, CFO, Lego Group as its new board of director.
The Xinjiang Cotton Association has urged both the international community and textile companies to rationally analyse and respond to all anti-Xinjiang statements and actions based on the principles of respecting the facts.
In response to the remarks made by Tadashi Yanai, CEO, Fast Retailing, the parent company of global fashion brand Uniqlo in an interview with BBC, the association said it firmly refuses to accept irrelevant claims.
The association further emphasised, Xinjiang cotton is one of the best in the world and strongly opposes the US for using the so called ‘forced labor’ and other baseless reasons to discredit and boycott Xinjiang cotton and its products.
Xinjiang's unique climate and geographical advantages provide ideal conditions for cotton growth, the association said. It is an essential raw material for China's textile industry and serves as a bridge connecting eastern and Western markets. Xinjiang cotton is recognised for its high quality and people in Xinjiang are hardworking and honest.
Xinjiang cotton not only provides a large amount of high-quality textile raw materials for China and the world, but also helps promote the development of the local economy and offers employment opportunities for local residents. Many families in Xinjiang have thus been able to get rid of poverty and move toward prosperity, it said, adding that under the Belt and Road Initiative, Xinjiang cotton has become an important commodity connecting the world.
However, the US has used the pretext of ‘human rights’ to frequently discredit Xinjiang cotton, attempting to deprive the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang of their right to improve their lives through hard work and employment. The association firmly rejected this, it said.
The cotton industry in Xinjiang has undergone significant transformation, evolving from traditional cotton planting methods to modern techniques. The industry is now focused on centralisation, greening, and intelligent development. The level of mechanisation and automation has continuously improved, with digital technologies being widely applied. The planting mechanisation rate has reached 100 per cent, and the machine-harvesting rate is about 90 per cent. The cotton industry has become a key driver of income growth and wealth creation for the people in Xinjiang, the association said.
Acting on directives from Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, the Puducherry Government has partnered with the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) to assess the feasibility of reviving textile industry in the Union Territory (UT).
Following a formal request from the administration SITRA representatives carried out an inspection of the defunct Swadeshee-Bharathee Textile Mills and Anglo-French Textiles. This initiative aims to explore the possibility of reopening the mills, albeit in a ‘non-composite format, according to Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary. The Lt Governor’s visit to the mills in September underscored the push to utilise the prime land associated with the mills for employment and revenue generation.
In 2012, SITRA submitted a report deeming the then-existing format of the mills unviable, leading to a gradual scaling down of operations. This culminated in their complete shutdown in 2020, sparking a conflict between the Lt Governor at the time, Kiran Bedi, and the Congress government led by V Narayanasamy. The Congress leadership accused Bedi of ordering the closure unilaterally, without consulting the elected government. Since then, public and political pressure to revive the mills has persisted.
Lt Governor Kailashnathan has emphasised reconsidering the textile revival plan before repurposing the land for other ventures. He noted, historically integral to Puducherry's economy, composite textile mills are now rare. He urged the government to evaluate the viability of a non-composite textile unit—focused on specific stages of textile processing—which could create significant employment opportunities.
Organised by the Chinese Textile and Garment Association (CTGA), the 2024 Myanmar International Textile and Machinery Fair (MITMF) is being held from December 6-8, 2024 in Yangon, Mynamar.
Being held in collaboration with the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), the event aims to not only strengthen economic ties between Myanmar, China and the ASEAN countries but also foster long-term potential business cooperation amongst them, as per MGMA, reports a Xinhua news agency.
The expo displays products from 20 Chinese brands and over 100 manufacturers of textile and apparel, shoes and bags from China. In addition, it promotes locally produced goods by highlighting made-in-Myanmar products, including clothing, accessories, shoes and domestic bags from small and medium-sized enterprises.
The fair is also being attended by the Korea Garments Association in Myanmar and Hong Kong Myanmar Manufacturers' Association, as per MGMA.
As requested by Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has sanctioned a project to develop All India Coordinated Research Project Centers (ACRIP) for cotton in Telangana.
PJTSAU officials met Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICAR and TP Sharma, Deputy Director-General in New Delhi recently and urged them to sanction a research program under the all-India program. PJTSAU plans to set up two centers — one at Warangal and a sub-centre at Adilabad.
These centers will begin full-fledged research activities from the next financial year,says Aldas Janaiah, Vice-Chancellor.
