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Spring Fair, the UK’s largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion, kicked off today at the NEC Birmingham, marking its 75th anniversary with a buzzing atmosphere and a record-breaking number of exhibitors. Thousands of retailers, including major names like John Lewis, M&S, and The Range, flooded the event to discover new products and trends for the upcoming year.
The opening ceremony, led by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, set the tone for the show. He highlighted Spring Fair’s pivotal role in shaping the future of retail, saying, "This is where the world will change for retailers and brands in the next two decades."
With over 1,500 exhibitors, including 400 first-time participants, the event celebrated its heritage while embracing innovation. New attractions included interactive elements like the immersive Buyers Lounge and a new anniversary fragrance. Moda x Pure, a collaboration with Pure London, debuted as a dynamic fashion destination, offering a rich mix of content and styles.
Exhibitors reported strong engagement. Beevive's co-directors, Jacob Powell and Faye Whitley, noted record orders, while Seedball’s Emily Atlee called Spring Fair the "most solid and important show" of the year. Retailers appreciated the variety and the opportunity to meet suppliers, with buyers also flocking to the new immersive Buyer Lounge, designed to appeal to all five senses.
The event’s content sessions featured prominent figures like Rachel Henderson and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Henderson shared strategies for creating striking brand imagery, while Llewelyn-Bowen discussed the power of independent retail and design in today’s market.
The day concluded with the 75 Years of Excellence Awards, celebrating the retail community’s enduring innovation. Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, expressed excitement for the continued success of Spring Fair, stating, “We’ve welcomed more exhibitors and buyers than ever before, and we look forward to the coming days of inspiration and collaboration.”
HimGra, the revolutionary sustainable textile innovation, will be showcasing its eco-conscious fabrics at Bharat Tex 2025, set to take place from February 14-17, 2025, at the Sustainability Pavilion. As the recipient of the prestigious Textile Innovation Award, HimGra is poised to redefine the future of luxury fashion with its pioneering materials that combine sustainability, innovation, and high-end aesthetics.
The heart of HimGra’s innovation lies in its unique fiber, derived from wild Himalayan grass through a waterless, mechanical process. This makes it one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional textiles. HimGra fabrics stand out for their exceptional thermal regulation, breathability, and softness, making them ideal for luxury fashion, home textiles, and knits.
At Bharat Tex 2025, HimGra will launch the ItalTex SRL Trend Book, featuring its innovative fabrics in premium womenswear collections. The brand will also host a joint session with the HimGra League of Sustainable Fashion Brands, offering luxury buyers an exclusive opportunity to gain insights into sustainable fashion innovations.
Additionally, HimGra will present impact-driven collaborations, highlighting its commitment to sustainability through a zero-cultivation carbon footprint and support for rural communities in Uttarakhand and Bihar.
This event presents a unique opportunity for fashion designers, buyers, and sustainability leaders to explore how HimGra’s innovative fabrics can be integrated into high-end collections. With the growing demand for eco-friendly materials, HimGra offers a forward-thinking solution for luxury brands committed to sustainability.
Struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and facing challenges like supply chain disruptions, inflation, rising interest rates, and shifting consumer behavior, several sporting goods and apparel retailers have filed for bankruptcy.
The first amongst these is the major paddle board retailer, Surf 9 which is seeking reorganization after Body Glove terminated its licensing agreement due to alleged unpaid royalties. Similarly, operating Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob's Stores, Mountain Sports filed for Chapter 11 and was subsequently acquired by UK-based Mountain Warehouse.
A licensee and operator of brands like Volcom, Billabong, Quicksilver, and Roxy, Liberated Brands also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company faced license terminations for several brands due to defaults, owing significant sums to creditors and in unpaid royalties. CEO Todd Hymel founded Liberated Brands after leading Volcom. The company experienced a revenue surge post-pandemic, driven by increased outdoor activities and stimulus checks, but later faced macroeconomic headwinds. Rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain issues, and declining demand led to financial distress. License terminations and vendor actions further exacerbated the situation, leading to the bankruptcy filing.
These cases illustrate the challenges facing the sporting goods and apparel industry. While some retailers initially benefited from increased outdoor interest during the pandemic, macroeconomic factors and internal operational issues have created a difficult environment.
Produced by the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) found in kombucha, Bacterial Cellulose is emerging as a promising sustainable textile.
A byproduct of sugar and tea fermentation, this unusual substance is chemically similar to cotton but ten times stronger. Researchers are exploring its potential to revolutionize the fashion industry, which currently relies on environmentally costly materials like cotton (requiring vast amounts of water and pesticides) and synthetic fibers (derived from fossil fuels).
The process of creating bacterial cellulose involves cultivating a SCOBY in sugared tea. As the microbes consume the sugar, they produce cellulose fibers, forming a dense mat that can be harvested and processed.
Despite its non-plant origin, bacterial cellulose possesses remarkable qualities. It’s incredibly pure, highly absorbent, boasts impressive tensile strength, is natural, non-toxic, has a low environmental footprint, and is biodegradable. These properties make it suitable for various applications, including clothing, footwear, accessories, and even biomedical uses like gauze bandages due to its natural antibacterial properties. It can also be dyed, sewn, and treated to achieve different textures, offering a versatile alternative to leather.
One of the most exciting prospects is the possibility of growing bacterial cellulose in molds shaped like clothing pieces, minimizing the 15-20 per cent material waste common in traditional fabric cutting. This could significantly reduce textile industry pollution, which consumes enormous amounts of water and energy and generates vast quantities of microplastics.
While the potential is significant, scalability remains a challenge. Current fermentation methods are also water-intensive, producing acidic wastewater that's difficult to reuse. Additionally, while it can readily replace cotton, bacterial cellulose doesn't yet match the durability and elasticity of some synthetic fibers.
Despite these challenges, researchers worldwide are working to overcome these limitations. If successful, clothing and shoes in future could be made from sugar and tea, drastically reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
FibreTrace has named Tricia Carey as its new Strategic Advisor in New York City, bringing over 25 years of expertise in textile innovation, sustainability, and circularity.
Tricia played a key role at Lenzing Fibres, driving the growth of Tencel in the US and leading global collaborations with mills and retailers. At Renewcell, she championed Circulose, a breakthrough recycled material, reinforcing her commitment to circular fashion.
Danielle Statham, Founder of FibreTrace, praised Tricia’s marketing expertise and industry influence. “She brings an incredible network and the ability to turn ambitious goals into reality. Her leadership will strengthen our partnerships and accelerate industry change.”
A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with additional credentials from Cornell and MIT, Tricia has received accolades such as the Rivet 50 award and the B2B Content Marketer of the Year. She has held leadership roles with Textile Exchange, Transformers Foundation, and Accelerating Circularity and has spoken at global events like the UN’s Conscious Fashion Network and ITMF.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Tricia said, “FibreTrace is a game-changer in textile accountability. As transparency demands rise, FibreTrace leads the way with real-time fibre integrity. I’m eager to drive innovation and sustainability with this team.”
FibreTrace’s technology embeds a luminescent pigment at the raw fibre stage, acting as an invisible barcode that remains traceable through every production step. This ensures supply chain transparency from fibre to finished garment, reinforcing FibreTrace’s leadership in textile traceability.
China-based online marketplace, Shein faces a potential investigation by the European Union over its compliance with consumer protection laws regarding the sale of illegal products.
The European Commission plans to initiate a coordinated action along with national consumer protection regulators against the fast-fashion marketplace. The probe will be led by four EU member states with any fines to be determined by individual national governments.
The Commission is increasingly utilizing the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, a mechanism designed to unify national authorities against large online platforms suspected of violating consumer protection rules. Temu and Apple faced similar actions last November.
National regulators in individual EU member states can impose fines on companies found to be in violation.
In a separate development, the Commission is unveiling a new strategy to crack down on e-commerce platforms used to ship unsafe products from China and other non-EU countries. This strategy aims to strengthen the EU's role as a global leader in digital regulation.
Shopping malls in Russia are facing a wave of closures due to rising taxes, increased loan costs, and decreased consumer spending. The Central Bank's decision to raise interest rates to a record 21 per cent to combat inflation has significantly impacted businesses across the country, particularly the retail sector.
Creating a bleak outlook for many shopping centers, experts predict further interest rate hikes, Around 200 malls face bankruptcy and may close down in 2025, predicts the Union of Shopping Centers.
Malls are struggling to renegotiate existing loans and secure new ones, impacting profitability and building maintenance, explains Oleg Voitsekhovsky, Managing Director, Russian Council of Shopping Centers (STC). Adding to this financial strain, the tax burden on shopping centers has increased tenfold in recent years due to rising cadastral values, says Pavel Lyulin, Vice President, STC. He anticipates further property tax increases this year.
The economic crisis is affecting other industries as well. Impacted by sanctions and declining exports, coal companies have suffered significant losses. Numerous airlines and IT firms are also reportedly nearing insolvency.
Companies are struggling to access necessary funding, with new loans plummeting. Borrowing on the debt market has also become more difficult due to rising bond yields.
The recent imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from China by US’ President Donald Trump has faced widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
This new tariff adds to existing levies on Chinese imports, further escalating trade tensions. Reiterating his earlier stance, Mao Ning, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, China, says, there are no winners in trade and tariffs wars and China remains committed to protect its own interests. He Yadong, Spokesperson, Ministry of Commerce, echoes this statement saysing, tariffs harm not just the US and China but also the global economy.
Besides tariffs on China, the US has also imposed a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, with a 10 per cent tariff specifically on energy products from Canada. These protectionist measures have raised concerns about their potential impact on global trade and economic stability.
Nike leads the athletic footwear category in the Brand Keys' 2025 Consumer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI) that identifies brands excelling in cultivating customer devotion.
The index surveyed over 81,000 consumers aged 16-65, analyzing attitudes toward 1,100 brands across 104 categories, revealing how loyalty predicts purchasing behavior, sales, and market share.
Nike is followed by Adidas and New Balance. Dick's Sporting Goods tops sporting goods retailers, with Academy and Big 5 rounding out the top three. Zappos takes gold in online shoes, with Amazon and a tie between Footlocker and Nike following.
Amazon dominates online retail, followed by Walmart and Etsy. Levi's leads apparel retail, with Zara, Old Navy, and Ralph Lauren also recognized. Macy's takes the top spot for department stores, while Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Family Dollar lead in discount retail. Costco reigns supreme in price clubs.
Brand Keys emphasizes the increasing impact of loyalty on profitability. They found it costs significantly more to acquire new customers than retain existing ones. A mere 5 per cent loyalty increase can boost lifetime customer profits by up to 86 per cent, and even a 2 per cent increase can equal the savings of a 28 per cent cost reduction program.
Loyal customers are six times more likely to engage with a brand, think of that brand first, and make initial and repeat purchases. This engagement directly correlates with increased market share and stronger financial performance.
Noting the dramatic shift in the loyalty paradigm over the past decade, Robert Passikoff, President, Brand Keys, emphasizes, true loyalty is complex and must be measured, achieved, and leveraged strategically. More than just awareness or satisfaction, it is deeper connection that drives customer behavior and ultimately, business success, he says.
Please note: This press release has been updated, following news that President Trump has reached a deal with Canada to pause penalty tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has welcomed former President Donald Trump’s decision to pause the planned 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for one month. NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas stated that this move allows further negotiations while addressing critical concerns related to migration and fentanyl trafficking. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable trade relationship with North American partners.
Mexico is the largest export market for US textile fibers, yarns, and fabrics, while Canada ranks third. Together, they account for over half of US textile exports, amounting to $12.5 billion annually. Glas highlighted that the North American textile and apparel coproduction chain supports 500,000 US jobs and competes with China and other Asian markets.
While NCTO supports the tariff pause, it remains focused on addressing trade challenges with China. Glas welcomed Trump’s recent executive order imposing a 10 per cent penalty tariff on Chinese imports but urged for stronger measures. She called for significantly higher tariffs on finished apparel and textiles from China, emphasizing that penalties on China should never be lower than those on North American trade partners.
NCTO is also pushing for the elimination of the de minimis tariff waiver, which allows importers to bypass duties on billions of dollars worth of goods. Glas argued that this loophole facilitates the entry of illicit and forced-labor goods into the US market. Even if a trade resolution is reached with Mexico and Canada, she insisted that eliminating de minimis remains a priority.
Additionally, NCTO urged the administration to enhance customs enforcement against undervaluation, misclassification, and transshipment of textile goods. Glas called for harsher penalties and increased transparency to deter repeat trade violators. She also stressed the need to penalize countries that enable illegal Chinese imports to enter the US market.
According to NCTO, a robust tariff strategy would strengthen North American manufacturing, curb illegal migration, and generate significant revenue for the US Treasury. In fiscal year 2023, US textile tariff collections totaled $16.3 billion. Glas projected that this figure could double or triple with higher tariffs on China, stricter enforcement, and the elimination of de minimis loopholes.
She emphasized that China remains the dominant exporter of textiles and apparel to the US, accounting for over 26 per cent of total imports in 2023. China also benefits from the de minimis exemption more than any other country, avoiding billions in duties annually. Glas stressed that cracking down on Chinese trade violations would further bolster tariff revenue and restore manufacturing jobs.
The US textile industry has been hit hard by plant closures, losing 26 facilities in the past 18 months. Glas expressed NCTO’s commitment to working with the Trump administration to rebuild domestic manufacturing and strengthen the textile supply chain. She urged policymakers to adopt a trade strategy that prioritizes American jobs, fair competition, and long-term industry stability.
