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Set to return from September 16-18, 2025, at Paris Nord Villepinte, the upcoming editon of Première Vision Paris will be dedicated to innovation and technology. This strategic repositioning is aimed at meeting the evolving demands of a fashion industry constantly seeking future-forward solutions.
This edition will attract over 1,000 exhibitors with 12 per cent participating for the first time, , underscoring the event’s pivotal role in the global fashion ecosystem. Florence Rousson, Chairperson, Executive Board, Première Vision and CEO - Fashion Division, GL events, emphasizes, Première Vision Paris’ return to its historical calendar and the ambitious programming of this edition reflect the ongoing changes aimed at better meeting the strong expectations of brands and manufacturers. The event will provide inspiration, networking, vision, and business solutions, proudly supporting a ‘resolutely innovative and responsible’ future for fashion, she notes.
The September edition will feature expanded and enhanced spaces designed to maximize information and opportunities. It will include a new Prospective Area focusing on beauty, thinking, guiding creative exploration and offering a holistic view of major industry shifts. This immersive space will highlight ‘Connections’ between industry and innovation, materials and beauty, and technology and emotion.
The event will also introduce six new themed Focus areas, each dedicated to a specific segment of the fashion industry, and extend its inspiration to the beauty sector through activations and the Prospective Area. A new Talks Stage focused on Fashion and Beauty will further enrich the conference program.
To facilitate connections and growth, Première Vision Paris is implementing new tools, including 150 Hosted Guests guided through customized journeys, pre-arranged business meetings to foster collaborations, six thematic walkthroughs to navigate the show efficiently, the Première Vision App for personalized planning and networking.
For the first time, Première Vision Paris will host 10 finalist startups from the ANDAM Innovation Award in a dedicated ‘Innovation & Technology’ area. Including 2025 winner Losanje and Special Jury Prize recipient Goldeneye Smart Vision, these startups are developing groundbreaking tech solutions for a more human and planet-friendly fashion ecosystem. Nathalie Dufour, Founder, ANDAM, highlighted on ‘the courage and vision of young entrepreneurs engaged in reinventing the industry.’
Additionally, a major player in the 3D fashion ecosystem, CLO Virtual Fashion will make its debut at Première Vision Paris with an exclusive 250 sq m immersive experience. Located near the Smart Creation area, CLO will showcase digitalized, eco-design, and 3D simulation solutions. The event will also feature an additional Talks Stage and two Pitch Stages, with expert speakers discussing innovation, technology, and fashion business from four key perspectives, including ‘Innovation & Technology for 2030.’
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) showcased its Trade Connect ePlatform at two major B2B trade exhibitions.
The first of these included the 71st India International Garment Fair (IIGF) held in New Delhi with over 360 Indian exhibitors showcasing products to buyers from 79 countries, including the UK, Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Germany.
The DGFT also showcased Trade Connect at the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo, held from July 4-7, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organized by the Toy Association of India, the expo featured over 400 Indian brands and live demonstrations highlighting the benefits of this platform for exporters to access credible trade information, connect with verified international buyers, and navigate global market entry more efficiently.
Trade Connect plans to continue its outreach by participating in upcoming key events, including World Food India 2025 in New Delhi and the India International Jewellery Show in Mumbai. These efforts aim to empower Indian MSME exporters and streamline their global trade operations.
An initiative of the DGFT, the Trade Connect ePlatform serves as a comprehensive hub for international trade information and services. It brings together Indian Missions, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, officials from the Department of Commerce, DGFT, and other stakeholders to provide robust support to Indian exporters.
The platform offers up-to-date information on tariffs, certifications, trade events, e-commerce, and buyer details, presented in a simplified manner for MSMEs. It also provides interactive, multilingual courses to introduce MSMEs to export procedures. Furthermore, Trade Connect acts as a single point for the issuance and validation of preferential and non-preferential certificates of origin, featuring a secure, electronic, paperless process with all authorized issuing agencies on board.
During a high-level meeting with Park Young-Sik, South Korea’s Ambassador to Bangladesh in Dhaka, Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), emphasized, South Korea’s exports of MMF, textile machinery and chemical dyes hold significant potential for Bangladesh.
Babu stated, South Korea represents a promising market for Bangladeshi apparel exports, offering significant opportunities for mutually beneficial trade. Both sides affirmed, a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) could substantially boost bilateral trade, which currently remains below $2 billion annually.
Official data from Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Bangladesh Bank (BB) indicates, Bangladesh exported $492 million worth of goods to South Korea in FY2025, while importing $902 million from the East Asian nation in FY2023.
On his part, Ambassador Park highlighted the importance of policy alignment between Bangladesh's Export Processing Zones Act 2019 and the Labor Act 2006 to create a more attractive investment climate. He also stressed on the need to enhance labor productivity and operational efficiency at the Chattogram Port to ensure smoother trade operations.
Babu called for better market intelligence sharing and stronger business-to-business connections between companies in both countries. The meeting included BGMEA Vice President Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury and other industry leaders, alongside South Korean trade officials.
Leading textile machinery manufacturer, Rieter experienced a challenging first half of fiscal year 2025, recording an order intake of CHF 355.4 million. This represents a 12 per cent decline compared to the CHF 403.4 million reported in H1 FY24. The company's revenue also declined significantly by 20 per cent to CHF 336.2 million.
The Machines & Systems Division was particularly impacted, with its order intake dropping to CHF 166.9 million from CHF 211.5 million in H1 FY24. Although demand for machines and systems saw an increase, the closing of orders was severely hampered by uncertainty surrounding customs tariffs and the broader geopolitical and economic situation. Sales for this division also declined by approximately 28 per cent to CHF 144.0 million, as market uncertainties led to project delays for individual customers.
The Components Division faced difficulties as well, generating an order intake of CHF 95.7 million. This division is contending with lower demand for components used in new machines, largely due to cautious investment activity in the market. Its revenue decreased by 10% year-on-year to CHF 113.9 million, with sales of new machine components performing below the previous year, though consumables and man-made fiber related business remained more stable.
In contrast, Rieter's order intake of the After Sales Division increased by 25 per cent to CHF 92.8 million. This growth confirms the success of strategic initiatives, benefiting from heightened sales activities in key target markets like Central Asia and China, alongside the ongoing expansion of its service and repair network. However, the After Sales Division's sales stood at CHF 78.3 million, impacted by lower revenue from new system installations due to the weaker performance of the Machines & Systems Division.
As of June 30, 2025, Rieter reported an order backlog of approximately CHF 510 million.
In a world where fashion unfolds in pixels and checkout happens with a click, legacy fashion brands are wrestling with a new kind of customer detachment: the vanishing footstep. As e-commerce booms and the dopamine rush of next-day deliveries becomes addictive, these stalwarts of style are charting a new course—one that doesn’t abandon digital but uses it as a springboard to bring shoppers back into the real world.
The stakes are high. While online fashion sales are expected to hit $133 billion by 2029, recent data from the British Retail Consortium reveals a sobering trend: non-food in-store sales in the UK slipped 1.0 per cent year-on-year in February 2025. And yet, not all is lost. Almost 68 per cent of luxury consumers still prefer in-person buying for designer goods. The message is clear: digital might drive desire, but physical still seals the deal.
The store as storyteller
Retail transformation consultants say, the physical store isn’t dead—it’s being reborn. Stores today, are less a point of sale and more a stage where brands perform their identity. Legacy brands, steeped in heritage, now see their stores as temples of experience: immersive, social, and deeply personal.
From Chanel’s masterclasses to Levi’s in-store customizations, the traditional store is evolving into something tactile and memorable—something worth stepping out for.
Stitching the digital to the physical
Before anyone steps into a store, they must know it exists—and be nudged toward it at the right moment. Brands are investing in hyper-local SEO, geo-targeted ads, and Local Inventory Ads (LIAs), which show real-time in-store availability. According to Google, 88 per cent of local mobile searches lead to store visits within a week. As an expert points out your store needs to show up in the right place at the right time and that starts on the customer’s phone.
The rise of ‘Phygital’ retail
Click & Collect (BOPIS) is more than convenience, it’s a bait as studies show 15-25 per cent of customers make extra purchases while picking up online orders. Return in-store (BORIS) services similarly double as footfall drivers. Interactive screens, mobile geo-fencing, and personalized SMS reminders—“The jacket you browsed is in-store!”—complete the feedback loop.
Zara, for instance, has turned BOPIS into an art form, reducing friction and increasing impulse buys in the same visit.
Creating experiences, not just transactions
Today’s consumer shops not just with their wallet, but with their camera and calendar. Stores are becoming Instagrammable spaces and community centers. H&M hosts artist collabs. Louis Vuitton stages art installations. Levi’s offers denim customizations. In-store AR and virtual try-ons further blend convenience with novelty, while digital mirrors and interactive lookbooks enhance both self-service and discovery.
Also personalized styling sessions—bookable online—are bringing back the lost art of one-on-one service. Legacy brands are also training staff not just as sellers but as brand ambassadors, weaving in storytelling and emotional connection. Even how a stylist remembers your size can be part of the brand experience.
The fabric of personalization
In a phygital world, data becomes the thread that stitches online and offline together. Unified customer profiles, built from web browsing, purchase history, loyalty data, and even in-store visits, now guide everything from product recommendations to event invitations. Retailers are deploying heatmaps, sensors, and even AI to analyze in-store movement—refining layouts, inventory placement, and staff deployment.
Table: Digital strategies driving physical footfall
|
Digital Strategy |
Description |
Footfall Impact |
|
Optimized Local Presence |
Comprehensive Google My Business, localized SEO, accurate store locators with rich information, LIAs. |
Increased Discoverability: Easier for local customers to find stores. Higher Intent Visits: Customers know product availability, reducing wasted trips. |
|
BOPIS/Click & Collect |
Customers buy online and pick up in-store. |
Guaranteed Visits: Direct incentive to enter the store. Increased Basket Size: High likelihood of additional impulse purchases during pickup. |
|
Geo-Targeted Mobile Marketing |
Targeted promotions/messages sent to customers near a physical store. |
Immediate Conversion Opportunities: Captures impulse decisions. Personalized Engagement: Relevant offers based on location and potentially Browse history. |
|
In-Store Events/Workshops |
Hosting fashion shows, styling sessions, designer talks. |
Experiential Attraction: Provides a unique reason to visit beyond shopping. Community Building: Fosters loyalty and brand connection. Media Buzz: Generates social media content and PR. |
|
AR/VR Experiences In-Store |
Virtual try-on, interactive displays. |
Enhanced Engagement: Offers a novel and entertaining shopping experience. Reduced Friction: Eliminates need for physical changing, potentially leading to faster decisions. |
|
Personalized Styling Services |
One-on-one appointments with stylists. |
High-Touch Service: Appeals to customers seeking expert advice and tailored experiences. Increased Conversion: Leads to higher value purchases due to personalized recommendations. |
|
User-Generated Content (UGC) |
Encouraging customers to share in-store experiences on social media. |
Authentic Promotion: Builds trust and credibility. Wider Reach: Expands brand visibility through organic social media sharing. |
|
Integrated Loyalty Programs |
Rewards for both online and offline purchases, redeemable in-store. |
Repeat Visits: Incentivizes continued engagement across channels. Data Collection: Gathers valuable customer insights for further personalization. |
Brands leading the way
Burberry’s flagship in London melds tech and tradition, with RFID clothing triggering videos and personalized appointments booked online. H&M uses mobile app features to blur online-offline lines, encouraging scan-to-shop and event attendance. Levi’s Tailor Shops have turned simple jeans into bespoke statements. Louis Vuitton, meanwhile, transforms its stores into sensory galleries—with timed releases and curated installations promoted heavily online.
Turning browsers into visitors
Looking ahead, the convergence of AI, AR, and in-store sensorial tech (like ambient scent and touch-reactive surfaces) could make stepping into a store feel like entering another dimension. The challenge is not just to impress, but to invite and involve. Fashion retail’s future won’t be a tug of war between clicks and bricks—it’ll be a choreography, and legacy brands, armed with history and now data, must master this.
The door to the store may be physical, but today, it opens first through a screen. And in 2025’s hyper-connected world, those who stitch the digital thread with authenticity, relevance, and creativity will find customers walking right in.
Parent company of Zara, Inditex is set to relaunch its budget fashion brand Lefties in the French market. Announced by Oscar Garcia Maceiras, CEO, Indifex, this strategic move is aimed at attracting younger consumers and intensifying competition with ultra-low-cost rivals like Shein.
This upcoming launch marks Lefties' return to France after an initial foray in 2009 saw both its stores close by 2012. Established 25 years ago, originally selling Zara's unsold inventory, Lefties has since expanded its presence to 18 countries. Its growth has been a key part of Inditex's strategy to contend with online-only retailers that offer rock-bottom prices.
In May, Lefties revealed a new all-caps logo and the slogan ‘Lefties everywhere, on everyone,’ signaling a renewed brand identity. While currently concentrating on Spain and Portugal, Maceiras recently indicated, the company is ‘testing Lefties in new markets.’
With dresses starting as low as € 9.9 ($11.55) and jeans at €12.99. Lefties offers highly competitive prices. This positions the brand similarly to Shein and Primark, offering a more affordable alternative to Zara, which has seen its prices increase in recent years.
During the group’s annual shareaholder meeting, Maceiras also highlighted the expansion plans for Inditex's other brands. For instance, Bershka is opening its first stores in Denmark, Stradivarius in Austria, Oysho in the Netherlands, and Massimo Dutti in Brazil. Additionally, the Zara Man label is launching its first dedicated store in the United States, specifically in Costa Mesa, Los Angeles.
Swiss material science innovator, Livinguard Technologies has unveiled a new groundbreaking textile solution designed to tackle major challenges of microfiber shedding and odor control in the apparel. Known as Livinguard Better Fresh, this new product is being officially launched at the Functional Fabric Fair in NYC and Functional Textiles in Shanghai.
The environmental impact of textiles, particularly from microfiber shedding, has increased due to the growing use of synthetic fibers and the rise of fast fashion. This leads to pervasive microplastic and chemical pollution affecting waterways, air, and soil, with a single home laundry cycle potentially releasing up to 700,000 microfiber fragments.
Livinguard Better Fresh offers a dual benefit. Firstly, it provides leading odor control, a highly valued feature for consumers, allowing clothes to stay fresh longer. Secondly, and critically, the technology reduces fiber fragmentation by up to 80 per cent, extending the product's lifespan. Both claims have been rigorously validated both in-house and by independent laboratories like Intertek.
This ‘two-in-one’ approach allows brands to offset the cost of implementing the new solution by replacing existing odor control treatments, making it a more financially viable and attractive option.
The development of Livinguard Better Fresh stems from 15 years of extensive R&D and global collaboration. It utilizes a proprietary blend of chemistry, thoroughly tested for performance, safety, environmental impact, and compliance with the highest industry standards, including bluesign.
This technology offers a cost-effective pathway to significantly reduce plastic pollution. It enables the creation of low-shedding fabrics with minimal disruption to existing production equipment and supply chains. Furthermore, its built-in odor control encourages consumers to use clothes longer and adopt more sustainable laundry habits, such as washing at lower temperatures. The solution also maintains the recyclability and circularity of treated garments, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainability.
Livinguard, headquartered in Switzerland, supports its global operations with an applications and microbiology laboratory in Mumbai, India, for comprehensive safety and performance testing.
The UK Government unveiled a series of reforms designed to streamline trade and bolster imports from developing nations under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). These adjustments are particularly beneficial for UK retailers that rely on sourcing from countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia.
The DCTS serves as the UK's successor to the Generalised System of Preference (GSP), which was in place during its EU membership. This scheme offers reduced or zero tariffs on thousands of products manufactured in 65 developing countries when imported directly into the UK. Importantly, UK exports do not receive any reciprocal relief under the scheme.
The newly announced enhancements include significant simplifications to the Rules of Origin. This crucial change will allow more goods from nations such as Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines to enter the UK tariff-free, even if they incorporate components sourced from various countries across Asia and Africa. Furthermore, these updates ensure that key manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh and Cambodia will continue to benefit from zero tariffs on vital products, including tailored garments and electronics.
These reforms are expected to unlock new commercial avenues for UK businesses, enabling them to forge more resilient supply chains, invest in emerging markets, and tap into rapidly expanding economies.
Adam Mansell, CEO, UKFT, opines, these additional changes to the Rules of Origin under the DCTS will bring real benefits to the fashion industry in the UK and in DCTS countries. The new rules demonstrate a genuine commitment from the government to modernize trade policy to support global economic growth. At a time of such uncertainty in international trade, these reforms are especially welcome, he states. UKFT has been actively advising the UK government on necessary amendments since the DCTS was first introduced.
The updated rules are an integral part of the UK’s broader ‘Trade for Development’ initiative, which aims to foster economic growth in partner countries while providing UK businesses and consumers with access to high-quality, affordable goods. Industry leaders, including Monique Leeuwenburgh, Director-Sourcing, Marks & Spencer, and Eoin Tonge, Interim Chief Executive, Primark, have also voiced their approval, highlighting how these changes will help maintain existing supply chain strategies and trusted relationships with key sourcing partners.
Conducted in collaboration with SaveTheHighStreet.org, a nationwide survey by Spring & Autumn Fair reveals independent retailers across the UK are currently under severe pressure as customer footfall continue to dwindle, operational costs rise, and a sharp confidence in government support declines.
Gathering insights from over 250 independent retail businesses, the survey shows, over 50 per cent of independent retailers have considered closing their doors. The most significant challenges cited are reduced customer spending and footfall (63.4 per cent), intense competition from online giants (57.4 per cent), and escalating wage and employment costs (39 per cent). Rising rent (21.1 per cent), high business rates (14.7 per cent), and insufficient funding for high street regeneration (22.7 per cent) also remain major concerns.
A staggering 84 per cent of independent retailers lack confidence in the government’s initiatives to support them. With 89.4 per cent operating a single store and 86.3 per cent employing fewer than five people, these small operations are particularly vulnerable. Despite their resilience - with over 60 per cent trading for more than three years - many feel they are at a critical crossroads. Retailers are calling for immediate and targeted government action. The top requests include increased grants or funding for small businesses (39 per cent) and a freeze or reduction in business rates (26.7 per eent). They also highlight the need for local improvements like better high street infrastructure (49.4 per cent), more community events to drive footfall (49.8 per cent), affordable parking (46.6 per cent), and stronger marketing support (76.9 per cent). This isn't just a plea; it's a data-backed blueprint for revitalizing Britain's high streets.
The survey also underscores the vital, often unseen, role independents play in their communities. Over 64 per cent describe their shop as the ‘social heart’ of the area, offering personalized advice, special orders, and local expertise that national chains cannot. They also support vulnerable residents and preserve local character.
This data shows how much independent retailers are struggling, and also how much they matter, says Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Spring & Autumn Fair. Alex Schlagman, SaveTheHighStreet.org adds, it is critical to remove the barriers holding small retailers back.
The global apparel market is a dynamic arena, and a close examination of the data reveals a compelling story of competition and contrasting trends between two South Asian manufacturing powerhouses: Bangladesh and India. While both nations are significant players, their trajectories and market strategies appear to differ, leading to distinct outcomes in recent years.
Bangladesh: A dominant and growing force
Bangladesh has firmly established itself as a global leader in apparel exports, consistently demonstrating a strong performance and an upward trajectory in both value and market share. As per the "World Apparel Market" table, Bangladesh's apparel export value has seen substantial growth, particularly in 2021 and 2022. From $28.07 billion in 2020 (a dip likely due to the pandemic), it rebounded strongly to $34.20 billion in 2021 and $45.35 billion in 2022, reaching an estimated $38.48 billion in 2024. This growth is reflected in its burgeoning market share, which rose from 6.26% in 2020 to an impressive 7.87% in 2022, estimated at 6.90% in 2024.
The "Bangladesh's RMG Export World" data further illuminates the scale and breadth of Bangladesh's export operations. The European Union remains the primary market, with significant export values across both woven and knit categories. Germany, Spain, France, and Italy are key destinations within the EU. Outside the EU, the USA stands out as a crucial market, alongside Canada and Japan. The detailed breakdown by product type (woven vs. knit) also highlights the country's diversified production capabilities within the apparel sector. The "Total" column for 2023-24 (July-June) projects a massive export value of $39.346.97 million (approximately $39.35 billion), underscoring the sheer volume of their apparel trade.
India: A struggling giant with untapped potential
In contrast to Bangladesh's consistent growth, India's performance in the global apparel market, as depicted in the "World Apparel Market" table, presents a more challenging picture. While India's export value did see an increase from $12.97 billion in 2020 to $16.15 billion in 2021 and $17.71 billion in 2022, its market share has shown a concerning decline. From 4.05% in 2017, it steadily decreased to 2.95% in 2023 and is estimated to be 2.94% in 2024. This indicates that despite an increase in absolute export value, India is losing ground relative to the overall growth of the global apparel market. The "Growth in 2024" for India is projected at 6.50%, which is positive but significantly lower than some of its competitors like Cambodia (24.19%) and Pakistan (21.44%).
The reasons for this trend are complex. A declining market share suggests issues such as lack of favourable FTAs, competitiveness in pricing, efficiency in production, or perhaps a slower adaptation to changing global fashion trends and supply chain demands compared to nimble competitors.
Key trends and comparative analysis
Here's a data table summarizing and comparing the key trends:
|
Metric |
Bangladesh (World Apparel Market) |
India (World Apparel Market) |
|
2017 Export Value |
$29.34 Billion |
$18.41 Billion |
|
2024 (Est.) Export Value |
$38.48 Billion |
$16.36 Billion |
|
2017 Market Share |
6.46% |
4.05% |
|
2024 (Est.) Market Share |
6.90% |
2.94% |
|
Trend in Market Share |
Generally increasing (with fluctuations), strong rebound |
Consistently decreasing |
|
Growth in 2024 (Est.) |
0.21% (from 2023 to 2024) |
6.50% (from 2023 to 2024) |
|
Key Product Focus (Bangladesh RMG) |
Woven and Knit (diverse product range within apparel) |
- |
|
Dominant Markets (Bangladesh RMG) |
EU (Germany, Spain, France, Italy), USA, Canada, Japan |
- |
Observations and key trends:
● Market share divergence: The most striking trend is the clear divergence in market share. Bangladesh has gained significant ground, solidifying its position as a major global supplier, while India has lost a considerable portion of its market share, indicating a struggle to keep pace with global demand and competition.
● Resilience and recovery: Bangladesh demonstrated remarkable resilience post-2020 (pandemic year), with a strong rebound in export values. This suggests a robust and adaptable industry structure. India also saw a recovery in value, but not enough to offset its declining share.
● Scale of operations: The sheer volume of Bangladesh's projected exports for 2023-24 (nearly $40 billion) further highlights its substantial production capacity and global footprint.
● Geographic focus: Bangladesh's strong ties with the EU and USA are evident, indicating successful long-term strategic relationships with key import regions.
● Growth rate paradox: Interestingly, India's projected growth rate for 2024 (6.50%) is higher than Bangladesh's (0.21%). This could imply a slower growth rate for Bangladesh after a period of rapid expansion, or perhaps a more saturated market for their current product offerings. For India, this higher growth rate, if sustained and amplified, could potentially help in stemming the decline in market share in the future, but it will require consistent effort.
Bangladesh expanding force, India faces headwinds
Bangladesh is a highly successful and expanding force in the global apparel export market, capitalizing on its established infrastructure and strong buyer relationships. India, despite its significant manufacturing base, appears to be facing headwinds, evidenced by its shrinking market share. For India to reverse this trend, a deeper analysis of its competitive disadvantages and a strategic pivot towards higher value-added products, improved efficiency, and stronger market linkages will be crucial. Conversely, Bangladesh's continued success will depend on maintaining its cost-competitiveness, diversifying its product portfolio, and navigating evolving global trade dynamics.
