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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.
Fueled by firm seller quotations and strong demand for high-quality batches, particularly towards the end of the month, Brazil witnessed a notable rise in cotton prices during November 2024. This upward trend was further supported by positive global market dynamics, says Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA).
From October 31 to November 29, the CEPEA/ESALQ cotton index (payment in 8 days) increased by 3.35 per cent, closing at BRL 4.0654 (~$0.67) per pound on November 29.
The market was shaped by a combination of domestic and international demand. As the year draws to a close, traders have prioritised fulfilling term contracts, though there was still active negotiation to address immediate supply needs.
In the first 14 producing days of November, Brazil reported a 15.1 per cent decline in cotton exports to 215.4,000 tons of cotton, compared to the same period in 2023. However, daily average export volume of the country increased by 21.3 per cent Y-o-Y, indicating potential total export volume of 292.3000 tons by the month's end, based on CEPEA’s latest fortnightly report.
Looking ahead, the National Supply Company (CONAB) projects, cotton production in the 2024-25 season is estimated to increase by 1.06 per cent to 3.704 million tons. This growth is attributed to an anticipated expansion in the cultivation area and a modest rise in productivity.
Domestic cotton consumption is also expected to increase by 1.43 per cent from October 2024 levels and a 2.16 per cent rise compared to the previous year. Exports are predicted to follow an upward trajectory, further strengthening Brazil’s role in the global cotton market.
Expanding its eco-friendly offerings to help retailers meet this growing demand, fully integrated textile manufacturer Panther Denim has launched the Planet Indigo collection offering a sustainable alternative to conventional denim. Developed in partnership with Shuise Dyeing House, this collection combines traditional dyeing techniques with modern sustainability practices to engage both consumers and denim communities.
Tim Huesemann, Sales Director, Panther Denim, says, derived from persimmon, the newly added kaki dye to the collection is a vibrant shade of range that leans slightly toward red—with the potential for additional natural dye colors in the future.
The unique persimmon hue is derived from its tannins, traditionally known in Japan as Kakishibu. Highly valued among denim enthusiasts, this natural dye has been used in the Asian market for years, offering a distinctive fading effect similar to indigo. Like other dyes of the company, the new kaki dye is entirely chemical-free, and any leftover dye residue can be composted to enrich the farm.
As a denim mill, Panther Denim is dedicated to providing the most advanced and eco-friendly fibers and elastane options in collaboration with innovative sustainable fiber suppliers. This provides the company’s customers with an access to materials that meet the highest sustainability standards, helping them stay competitive in the market.
Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein have temporarily halted operations in Vietnam as they work to comply with government requirements to register their services. Vietnam's trade ministry had set a November deadline for the platforms to register or face suspension, citing concerns over deep discounting, potential counterfeit sales, and unfair competition with local businesses.
Temu, owned by PDD Holdings, entered the Vietnamese market in October, while Shein has operated there for over two years. The trade ministry confirmed that Temu’s operations would remain suspended until its registration is approved. Temu stated it had submitted the required documents and is cooperating with Vietnamese authorities, but no timeline has been given for resumption.
Shein’s Vietnamese website was also unavailable, although the company noted that customers could still shop through its international platform. Shein reiterated its commitment to complying with local regulations.
The suspensions come amid broader regulatory tightening in Vietnam’s e-commerce sector. Last week, the Vietnamese parliament passed changes to end tax exemptions on low-value imported goods and impose value-added tax (VAT) on local operators of foreign e-commerce platforms. The finance ministry is moving to eliminate the longstanding tax break, signaling significant implications for foreign e-commerce players.
Temu also faces challenges in Indonesia, where regulators have requested its removal from app stores to protect local merchants. Both companies are under scrutiny as Southeast Asian nations seek to regulate the rapidly growing e-commerce market.
A new report, The State of Sourcing Report: Sourcing and Sustainability in 2025, by Source in collaboration with Insider Trends, sheds light on evolving sourcing practices and sustainability efforts among UK retailers. Surveying businesses from small enterprises to large corporations, the report underscores advancements in global sourcing while revealing fragmented sustainability approaches.
Key findings indicate that 84 per cent of businesses with over 50 employees and 71 per cent of smaller businesses source internationally, with China (48.8 per cent), the UK (41.6 per cent), and India (36.8 per cent) leading sourcing destinations. Smaller businesses prioritize local sourcing due to limited capacity and cost considerations. Larger companies, meanwhile, extend their global footprint to regions like Southeast Asia and Turkey.
Sustainability remains a mixed priority. While 69.23 per cent of respondents report progress, the sector faces barriers including limited resources, regulatory complexity, and greenwashing concerns. Smaller businesses lead in authentic leadership on sustainability, with over 50 per cent demonstrating dedicated leadership. Larger retailers, however, often allocate greater resources to structured sustainability initiatives.
Cost efficiency (45.6 per cent), innovation (35.48 per cent), and supply chain risk mitigation (32.26 per cent) drive sourcing decisions. However, sustainability ranks higher for smaller businesses, reflecting consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
Despite consumer pressure and impending regulations, such as the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (effective April 2025), which penalizes greenwashing, many businesses are hesitant to make bold commitments. Almost half of respondents lack plans to increase sustainability funding, citing competing priorities and financial constraints.
The report calls for systemic changes, including clearer regulations, financial incentives, and collaborative efforts across the industry. It emphasizes that addressing sustainability in isolation hampers progress.
Suzanne Ellingham, Sourcing Director at Source, highlights, “Collaboration, transparency, and innovation are key to balancing environmental goals with business realities. By pooling resources and embracing partnerships, the industry can create meaningful change by 2025.”
The findings will be explored during an online webinar on December 10th, as businesses strive to align sustainability with profitability in an increasingly complex global market.
To tackle the denim industry’s overproduction crisis, brands Diesel and Lee have launched their second collaborative collection, Titled, ‘Diesel Loves Lee,’ the collection offers jeans made from upcycled deadstock.
Each pair of jeans in the limited-edition Diesel Loves Lee collection is made from existing materials sourced from both brands’ unsold stock. Half of each pair of jeans is made from Diesel materials while the other half is made from Lee materials.
Created with one-of-a-kind Frankenstein-ed designs, these denims are created using a, a dark blue wash that is stone-bleached to harmonise tone, and then overdyed with dark beige pigments for added depth. The jeans are finished with a raw-edged side seam and slightly frayed edges.
The collection offers two genderless straight leg styles and two women’s bootcut jeans. Available in sizes ranging from XS-XL, these denims retail for $350.
Launched in December 2023, the Diesel Loves Lee concept is a call-to-action for the denim community to share materials, manufacturing and resources to represent the ‘power of denim to unite us all.’
Diesel and Lee also contributed €100,000 (approximately $105,113) to the OTB Foundation as a part of this collaboration to benefit projects with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
A leading fashion company specialising in designing, sourcing, and marketing apparel and accessories, G-III Apparel Group continues to navigate a challenging market with resilience and strategic initiatives.
In Q2 FY24, the company’s revenues declined by 2 per cent Y-o-Y to $644.8 million. However, its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by $0.52 as against projections of $0.25. GII’s revenues in Q1 FY24 grew by 0.5 per cent totaling $609.7 million while its adjusted EPS increased by $0.12, prompting an upward revision of its full-year guidance.
The company’s growth is attributed to its focus on owned brands and new partnerships. Its owned brands, DKNY and Karl Lagerfeld, reported double-digit growth during the quarter, including a remarkable 50 per cent surge in North America. The relaunch of Donna Karan has further driven higher average unit retail (AUR) and improved sell-through rates.
The company has also signed a global licensing agreement with Converse for men’s and women’s apparel, set to launch in Fall 2025. This partnership is projected to generate $200 million in revenue, offering significant growth potential and enhancing G-III’s brand portfolio.
G-III is also expanding internationally by acquiring a 12 per cent stake in the All We Wear Group (AWWG), which it plans to grow to 20 per cent. This partnership aims to accelerate the expansion of key brands—Karl Lagerfeld, DKNY, and Donna Karan—in Spain, Portugal, and India.
Additionally, G-III plans to add over 2,500 new points of sale in department stores, further driving growth in the latter half of FY24. With a strong focus on optimising its portfolio and securing high-profile partnerships, G-III is positioning itself for sustained growth in a dynamic fashion market.
