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Manager of retail operations for major surf brands like Billabong, Roxy, Quiksilver, RVCA, Honolua, and Boardriders, Liberated Brands has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company operated online and in-person stores through a licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group, which owns the brands. The agreement ended in December, with Authentic Brands Group transitioning to a new wholesale licensing model. All 122 Liberated Brands stores are conducting closeout sales and will permanently close after liquidation. In January, the company laid off over 360 corporate employees and more than 1,000 retail workers.
According to Liberated Brands volatile global economy, changing consumer spending habits due to rising costs of living and inflation contributed to its bankruptcy. The company expressed hope that many of its employees would find new opportunities with other license holders.
The retail industry continues to face significant challenges. The early 2020s saw widespread store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a surge in shoppers and operational difficulties due to capacity restrictions. Smaller businesses struggled to survive without robust sales, while larger corporations were better positioned to weather the storm.
Rising interest rates have further exacerbated the situation, making borrowing more expensive and hindering retailers' ability to scale and expand. Many have been in survival mode, and numerous businesses have closed.
In 2024, approximately 500,000 businesses filed for bankruptcy, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year. According to Coresight Research, a further 15,000 store closures are expected in 2025, with a focus on Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings, liquidations, and major overhauls for surviving retailers.
With 9,056,990 bales of 170 kg each, Gujarat topped India's cotton production charts for the 2023-24 seasons, according to the Union Government.
Providing the state-wise and district-wide cotton production data (Annexture I&II), Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, states, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) procured 3,284,000 bales of cotton under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, with 3,180,000 bales sold by January 27, 2025. Due to favorable domestic prices and a lack of price parity in exports, there were no cotton exports. Currently, India has no export restrictions on cotton, and the government does not import cotton. Local traders may import cotton independently, but there is no government mandate to do so or control prices.
The MSP for cotton provides a safety net for farmers, guaranteeing a minimum price for their produce. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends the MSP annually, based on a formula of 1.5 times the cost of production (A2+FL), ensuring at least a 50 per cent return over production costs.
To implement the MSP scheme and ensure reasonable prices for cotton farmers, the CCI has established 507 procurement centers in 152 districts across 12 cotton-growing states, including 9 centers in Amravati District and 15 in Yavatmal District, Maharashtra.
Once-popular fast-fashion retailer, Forever 21 may be forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if it fails to secure a buyer for its profitable leases, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal.
Forever 21's operating company, Catalyst Brands licenses the brand in the US from Authentic Brands Group, which retains ownership of the intellectual property. The brand currently operates over 360 U.S. stores but has struggled since emerging from bankruptcy five years ago. According to a company spokesperson, Catalyst Brands is exploring strategic options for Forever 21 and working towards the best possible outcome.
Formed in January through the merger of Sparc Group (operator of Forever 21, Lucky Brand, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, and Brooks Brothers) and JCPenney, Catalyst Brands is at the center of these developments. Authentic Brands Group acquired the Forever 21 brand out of bankruptcy in 2020 and licensed it to Sparc Group.
Earlier this month, Jamie Salter, CEO, Authentic Brands Group discussed the brand's partnership with online giant Shein, noting that while online sales through Shein were ‘good but not great,’ in-store Shein pop-ups within Forever 21 stores had been ‘huge home runs.’ Currently preparing for an IPO, Shein owns a one-third stake in Sparc Group and Authentic Brands Group's joint venture.
Sparc Group also holds a minority share in Shein. The Group typically invests in struggling retailers, often keeping well-known brands within Simon Property Group's malls. The partnership between Shein and Sparc Group aims to leverage their respective strengths to drive innovation, explore new strategies, improve customer experience, and expand market presence.
Founded in 1984 by Korean immigrants, Forever 21 became a popular destination for affordable, trendy clothing. However, declining mall traffic and the shift to online shopping led to slumping sales. Forever 21's aggressive expansion, from 500 stores in 2010 to 800 in 2018 across over 40 countries, ultimately proved unsustainable. The company's strategy of targeting vacant department store spaces backfired as it faced financial difficulties.
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, The Development Commissioner (Handlooms), has launched India's first textile upcycling festival, ‘Weave the Future,’ at Dilli Haat. Running until February 9, 2025, the festival promotes sustainable fashion and raises awareness about reducing textile waste.
As a lead-up to India Tex 2025, a major global textile trade fair, the festival offers a platform for artisans, designers, and consumers to discuss sustainability, circular fashion, and ethical textile production. The event includes brand interactions, art exhibitions, and hands-on sewing and knitting workshops to encourage sustainable textile practices.
A central feature is a thematic installation divided into three sections: Handmade, Recycled, and Upcycled. The Handmade section displays fabrics made from handspun yarns and natural dyes. The Recycled section showcases textiles repurposed by breaking them down and reconstructing them. The Upcycled section demonstrates the creative reuse of discarded garments, fabric scraps, and surplus materials.
Forty brands committed to eco-conscious craftsmanship are showcased, encouraging wider adoption of responsible practices and raising consumer awareness. The festival emphasizes the 9R principles - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, Repurpose, Regenerate, Rethink, and Restore - to guide sustainable textile consumption.
The Textile Committee of the Ministry of Textiles has identified several exhibitors as Upcycled Textile Manufacturers, contributing to a structured system for upcycled textile products in India.
Aggressively expanding its quick commerce service, ‘Flipkart Minutes,’ the e-commerce company, Flipkart aims to establish 500-550 dark stores before its ‘Big Billion Days’ sale. The company expects to have around 300 dark stores operational by March, significantly increasing its presence and intensifying competition with Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.
The Walmart-backed e-commerce giant entered the rapidly growing quick commerce segment around August of last year. It currently operates 120-150 dark stores with this expansion representing a rapid scale-up for the company. By March 2025-end, Flipkart aims to open over 300 dark stores, with the ultimate goal of over 500 stores in preparation for its major annual sale, typically held in October-November
Crucial for quick commerce, dark stores enable platforms to store a wide range of products and fulfill deliveries within 15-20 minutes. Flipkart has reportedly strengthened its market position in Bengaluru and expanded its offerings to include high-value items like electronics, appliances, and smartphones, mirroring recent strategies by Blinkit and Zepto.
Having reached 700 dark stores by December 2024, Swiggy Instamart took over two years to achieve that milestone. Zepto surpassed 900 stores in January, while Blinkit leads the segment with over 1,000 dark stores.
Last month, Flipkart appointed Kabeer Biswas, Co-founder, Dunzo, to lead its quick commerce venture. This move signals Flipkart's commitment to competing against Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto, which are all vying to deliver a wide range of products quickly.
Other quick commerce players are also investing heavily in scaling operations. With its current trajectory, Flipkart is poised to become the fourth-largest player in quick commerce. BigBasket’s BB Now also competes in this space, while Amazon is reportedly testing a 15-minute delivery service in Bengaluru.
According to Bofa Securities, the Indian quick commerce market is projected to grow from $21 billion to $31 billion by FY27, increasing its share of the retail market from 1.7 per cent to 2.4 per cent.
Leading integrated express logistics provider in India, DTDC has entered into the rapid commerce space with the launch of 2-4 hour rapid delivery and same-day delivery services. This expansion leverages DTDC's robust logistics network, advanced technology, and success in domestic e-commerce to enhance last-mile delivery solutions for businesses and consumers.
Building on its next-day delivery expertise, DTDC now offers rapid 2-4 hour deliveries, promising speed and reliability. The company has established its first dark store in Bengaluru, creating a hyperlocal fulfillment ecosystem to improve last-mile delivery efficiency. This initiative will empower D2C brands and social commerce sellers, enabling them to offer rapid delivery services across India.
DTDC plans to expand these rapid delivery options nationwide, further solidifying its role in transforming the logistics and e-commerce landscape. The expansion aims to meet the increasing demand for rapid delivery in today's fast-paced digital world.
Subhasish Chakraborty, Founder and Chairman & Managing Director, DTDC Express, states this launch is a significant milestone for DTDC, strengthening its commitment to growth in the evolving logistics and commerce sectors. He emphasized the goal of meeting the increasing demand in rapid commerce and becoming a key player in shaping the future of delivery services in India.
Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO DTDC Express, adds, they are excited to launch their first dark store in Bengaluru, a key e-commerce hub, to serve the growing needs of emerging brands and businesses. He opines, catering to the evolving demands of the digital marketplace, DTDC will redefine logistics solutions.
Bangladeshi recycled yarn producer, Simco is engaged in an intellectual property dispute with Swiss apparel and shoe brand ON over confusingly similar names. Based in Bhaluka, Simco manufactures yarn under the brand ‘Cyclo,’ supplying it to apparel manufacturers who export garments with Cyclo hangtags to European and American retailers. Simco registered the ‘Cyclo’ trademark in Singapore in 2014.
The Swiss company, ON, registered its apparel brand as ‘Cyclon’ in Switzerland in 2021 and markets its products under this name. Meanwhile, Simco created ‘Cyclo’ in 2014 as Bangladesh's first certified garment waste recycling facility and brand for its recycled fibers and yarns. The ‘Cyclo’ brand is trademarked and registered in over 20 countries, including Bangladesh, the EU, USA, UK, and Japan.
A major player in the performance sportswear industry with an estimated market capitalization exceeding $20 billion, ON launched a recycling program called ‘Cyclon’ around 2021 and subsequently attempted to limit Simco's use of the ‘Cyclo’ brand in key markets.
The similarities in name and the shared focus on circularity and recycling have forced Simco to defend its ‘Cyclo’ trademark across multiple jurisdictions. Simco claims ON has been unresponsive to attempts at amicable resolution, highlighting the power imbalances faced by smaller companies from developing nations.
Founded in Switzerland in 2010, ON produces premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for running, outdoor activities, training, all-day wear, and tennis.
Nilesh Ved, Founder and Chairman of AppCorp Holding and owner of Apparel Group, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Pioneering Retail Entrepreneurship at the 2025 RLC Honors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 4.
Recognized as one of the retail industry’s most transformative leaders, Ved has played a crucial role in reshaping global retail with his vision for innovation, expansion, and excellence. Under his leadership, Apparel Group has become a dominant force in the industry, setting new benchmarks for success.
The award ceremony, followed by an exclusive dinner attended by 150 top industry figures, celebrated Ved’s impact on retail. His contributions have not only redefined consumer experiences but also set the strategic course for the industry's future.
Upon receiving the honor, Ved expressed his gratitude, stating, “This award is a testament to our journey, driven by passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Retail is about more than commerce it’s about creating meaningful connections that resonate globally. I am deeply humbled and inspired to continue shaping the industry’s future.”
The RLC Honors once again highlighted its mission to recognize trailblazers shaping the retail landscape. Ved’s Lifetime Achievement Award marks a defining moment in his career, cementing his legacy as a visionary leader whose influence continues to inspire the next generation of retail pioneers.
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Spring Edition 2025 is set to spotlight sustainability and innovation, with over 3,000 exhibitors spanning 190,000 square meter at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. As the textile industry accelerates its shift toward eco-friendly practices, the event will emphasize the use of recycled materials and bio-based fibers in functional textiles.
Two key zones will highlight these advancements. The Econogy Hub, following its successful debut at last year’s Autumn Edition, will return alongside the Econogy Finder, enabling exhibitors who pass the independent Econogy Check to showcase their green credentials. Meanwhile, Functional Lab will introduce The Cube, a dedicated space for on-trend functional fabrics.
Leading industry players champion sustainability
With growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, leading functional apparel brands are integrating sustainable materials such as recycled plastics and organic cotton. At the fair, notable exhibitors in Functional Lab will include:
3M China Limited: Showcasing Thinsulate Insulation, a warm, lightweight microfibre with a high warmth-to-thickness ratio. The series includes varying levels of recycled content and features such as stretch, water resistance, and flame resistance.
Henglun Textile (Vietnam) Co Ltd: A producer of knitted denim and print knitted fabrics with sustainability certifications from BCI, GRS, and OEKO-TEX.
Jackie Liu, APAC Business Leader of 3M China Limited, emphasized, “Sustainable development, environmental protection, and digitalization are key industry priorities. We integrate sustainable technology into our products, making them recyclable while utilizing renewable raw materials.”
Certification and innovation drive green progress
Beyond functional textiles, other major exhibitors will present sustainable solutions across the fairground, including:
Eastman Chemical Company: Displaying Naia Renew fiber, made from 60 per cent sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40 per cent certified recycled waste material.
Esquel Enterprises Ltd: Aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, Esquel repurposes leftover yarn and fabrics into accessories and packaging.
Grasim Industries Limited: A key producer of cellulosic fibers and sustainable fashion materials under the Aditya Birla Group.
Certification and traceability remain crucial for ensuring industry-wide sustainability. The Econogy Hub will host leading certifiers and testing institutes such as Ecocert, Hohenstein, and Testex AG. Marc Sidler, Group CMO at Testex AG, noted, “The fair has become much greener and more digital. Strong interest in our Made in Green certification underscores the demand for transparent supply chains.”
Co-organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Textile Information Centre, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Spring Edition 2025 will run from 11-13 March. It will be held alongside Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles - Spring Edition, CHIC, and PH Value.
The fusion of sustainability and creativity took center stage on January 19 at Fondazione Sozzani, where Italian designer Marcello Pipitone presented M:A M,M A Fashion: Art, Materials, Music. Action. The event blended fashion, visual art, and music, spotlighting Pipitone’s street couture and the innovative materials of Eastman Naia Renew.
A key highlight was Pipitone’s collection featuring Sherpa fabric, a premium blend of wool and Naia Renew, a fiber made from 60 per cent sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40 per cent recycled waste. Developed in collaboration with Eastman Naia, the fabric was produced in Prato by Lady V and finished with expert dyeing by Tintoria Emiliana, showcasing Italian craftsmanship.
The event also featured a second collection by Pipitone, crafted from recycled denim and vintage football jerseys, reinforcing his commitment to upcycling. Complementing the showcase, Milanese footwear designer Sangi introduced a capsule of repurposed technical football boots transformed into stylish urban trainers.
Naia, in partnership with Tintoria Emiliana, played a key role in developing the event’s sustainable fashion pieces, reinforcing its versatility and eco-conscious innovation. The evening embodied a seamless blend of artistry and responsibility, proving that high fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand.
