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Leading US specialty apparel company, Gap Inc exceeded profit expectations and met sales goals in Q2, FY25.
As per Richard Dickson, President and CEO, the owner of well-known brands like Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta, Gap Inc reported net sales of $3.7 billion during the quarter, which remained flat compared to the previous year. However, the company’s comparable sales increased by 1 per cent Y-o-Y. Their online sales grew by 3 per cent and accounted for 34 per cent of total net sales, while store sales declined by 1 per cent. Gap Inc currently operates approximately 3,500 stores in over 35 countries, with 2,486 of them being company-owned.
The company’s net income increased to $216 million during the quarter despite gross margin declining by 140 basis points to 41.2 per cent.
Bangladeshi garment exporters are urging authorities to quickly resolve the cash shortage in five to six commercial banks, warning, a failure to do so could lead to significant business disruptions. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) had recently stated that delays in salary payments and difficulties opening letters of credit (LCs) are creating major problems for its members.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, President, BGMEA, said, exporters who use the affected banks are finding it hard to pay their workers on time and to secure the LCs needed to import raw materials. The banks are also reportedly unable to promptly release export proceeds, which is further complicating operations for apparel manufacturers. If banks fail to disburse salaries on time, labor unrest may rise in garment factories, Khan added after a meeting with Ahsan H Mansur, Governor, Bangladesh Bank.
Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, Vice-President, BGMEA noted, approximately 350 export-oriented garment factories are being affected by the dollar shortage at these banks. He explained, while importers’ needs are being prioritized, exporters who are earning the dollars are unable to access them. This is preventing them from settling back-to-back LCs and purchasing raw materials for production.
The current demand for dollars has increased following the US's finalization of a 20 per cent tariff settlement. This has prompted international retailers and brands to place more orders for upcoming seasons, increasing the need for dollars to import materials for shipments to the US, Europe, and other markets.
Mansur has assured BGMEA leaders, measures will be taken promptly to ease the liquidity constraints. Chowdhury said they expect the problem could be resolved by the end of the month. Exporters emphasized that any prolonged dollar shortage during this peak season could severely impact the sector's operations and international reputation.
In 2024, fashion emerged as a major winner in the global licensing industry, with a growth rate of 8.1 per cent, according to the recent Licensing International 2025 Global Licensing Industry Study. This growth significantly outpaced the overall global licensing industry, which saw a 3.7 per cent increase.
The report notes, a shortage of new intellectual property in the entertainment sector contributed to a rise in royalties from non-entertainment properties. This helped fashion licensing increase its market share to 9.3 per cent of licensed retail sales, a 0.4 percentage point jump. This expansion was also fueled by other product categories that frequently license fashion brands, such as home décor, beauty products, sportswear, and footwear.
The study also highlights how cost-conscious consumers are changing the retail landscape. As prices have risen, shoppers have increasingly turned to discount retailers. For example, the report points out, while Nordstrom's sales declined by 3 per cent in 2024, its off-price outlet, Nordstrom Rack, saw sales increase by nearly 15 per cent.
Price-sensitive consumers are also showing more interest in private-label products, as well as trade-in, buyback, and upcycling programs. Citing an eBay report, the study states, more than 70 per cent of global consumers planned to buy used goods in 2024. The stigma once associated with buying used clothing has been replaced by a focus on ‘deal-hunting, value, and sustainability; among younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and millennials.
Simultaneously, a growing interest in sustainability has also boosted the trend of ‘quiet luxury,’ which the report defines as an investment in minimalist, high-quality fashion.
American Eagle Outfitters has launched a new, limited-edition collection with Travis Kelce’s brand, Tru Kolors. The ‘AE x Tru Kolors’ collection was launched just a day after the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was reported to be engaged to artist Taylor Swift.
More than a year in the making, this new collection is a fusion of fashion, sports, and culture, bringing together the denim brand with one of football's most recognizable faces. Kelce, Creative Director, Tru Kolors, was deeply involved in every part of the collection’s development. Guided by his ‘live to play’ philosophy, he worked on everything from design and fabric choices to colors, fits, and graphics. The resulting collection reflects both his and American Eagle's commitment to creating versatile, confident pieces.
Jennifer Foyle, President and Executive Creative Director, American Eagle Outfitters, avers, American Eagle and Travis Kelce were destined to collaborate. An iconic brand is teaming up with one of the greatest athletes of our generation, she adds.
With prices ranging from $14.95 to $179.95, the 90-piece collection will be released in two drops, with the second scheduled for September 24. It features a range of elevated everyday essentials and reimagined classic silhouettes, including vintage-inspired tees, updated varsity jackets, and utility cargos.
The new launch follows a period of controversy for American Eagle. The brand recently faced public criticism for its ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans’ campaign, which some critics viewed as having problematic ties to eugenics and racial superiority due to its wording and imagery. American Eagle has defended the campaign, stating that it was always intended to celebrate how ‘everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence.’
Abercrombie & Fitch Co has entered into a new multi-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, naming the brand as an Official Fashion Partner for both the team and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. This marks the first partnership of its kind between Abercrombie and National Football League (NFL) team, following the NFL's recent designation of Abercrombie as an Official Fashion Partner for the league.
This new collaboration builds on the success of Abercrombie's current NFL product line, which already includes Dallas Cowboys gear for men, women, children, and pets. As part of the partnership, Abercrombie will sell its licensed Cowboys collection at select Cowboys pro shops and have a significant presence at AT&T Stadium and The Star. The brand will also be featured at key team events, including home games, the Cowboys Club, and Dallas Cowboys Women’s Association events.
Carey Collins Krug, Chief Marketing Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co says, the company’s partnership with the Dallas Cowboys allows it to connect fashion and football in a way that extends well beyond game day. They are bringing their approach to style into the Cowboys’ world, from the players to the larger fan community.
In a unique twist, Abercrombie has also teamed up with Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson as early participants in the brand's ‘Style Concierge’ program. This program gives select NFL players access to Abercrombie stylists for their off-the-field looks. Fans will get a chance to buy player-designed apparel when CeeDee Lamb's collection debuts later this season in select Abercrombie stores and on their website.
According to Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer, Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and fashion are more aligned than ever, which makes this partnership with Abercrombie an impactful step forward. Together, they are taking the intersection of the Cowboys brand, lifestyle, and apparel even further.
The American fashion industry finds itself at a crossroads. What began as an attempt to ‘reshore’ production through punitive tariffs has instead reshaped the global sourcing map in ways Washington may not have anticipated. A new report reveals a stark paradox at the heart of the American fashion industry: President Trump's escalating tariffs, intended to boost domestic production, are instead driving up costs, squeezing profits, and paradoxically solidifying Asia's overall dominance as a sourcing hub, albeit with a shift away from China. The ‘2025 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study’ by Professor Sheng Lu in collaboration with the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) highlights an industry navigating unprecedented trade policy uncertainty with costly, and often unintended, consequences.
The study, based on a survey of 25 leading US fashion companies, found that a staggering 100 per cent respondents rated ‘Protectionist US trade policies and related policy uncertainty, including the impact of the Trump tariffs’ as one of their top business challenges in 2025. This concern isn't theoretical; its impacts are deeply felt across the supply chain. “The impact of tariffs is the first, second, and third most important factor affecting sourcing trends this year,” one respondent lamented. The survey results reveal just how heavy the burden has become.
Table: Impacts of Trump’s tariffs on US fashion companies (2025)
|
Impact |
Respondents reporting |
|
Hurt financial profits |
78% |
|
Increased sourcing costs |
72% |
|
Raised consumer prices |
72% |
|
Caused sourcing delays/cancellations |
67% |
|
Reduced U.S. sales |
50% |
|
Cut resources for critical areas (sustainability, innovation) |
39% |
|
Triggered layoffs/job cuts |
22% |
Source: 2025 USFIA Benchmarking Survey
Margins are being squeezed, and nearly half of the companies surveyed reported declining sales. Worse still, about two in five admitted that tariff pressures forced them to pull back from investments in sustainability and product innovation, two areas critical to long-term competitiveness.
De-risking from China without leaving Asia
While tariffs have successfully pushed companies to reduce reliance on China, this is not translating into a revival of ‘Made in USA’. Instead, brands are adopting a pragmatic ‘China + 1’ or even ‘China + many’ strategy. A record 60 per cent of companies now source less than 10 per cent of their apparel from China. More than 80 per cent plan further reductions through 2027, not because China is uncompetitive it still leads in flexibility, low order minimums, and vertical integration but because of political risk. “We cannot walk away from China 100 per cent. They have capacity, flexibility, and workmanship that others cannot replicate,” one sourcing executive explained.
Instead of returning home, sourcing has spread deeper into Asia, strengthening the region’s dominance. Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh have become the biggest winners. Vietnam's utilization rate among respondents jumped from 90 per cent to 100 per cent, Cambodia from 75 per cent to 94 per cent, and Bangladesh from 86 per cent to 88 per cent.
Table: Top apparel sourcing destinations for US companies (2025)
|
Rank |
Sourcing destination |
Utilization in 2025 |
Utilization in 2024 |
|
1 |
China |
100% |
100% |
|
2 |
Vietnam |
100% |
90% |
|
3 |
Cambodia |
94% |
75% |
|
4 |
Bangladesh |
88% |
86% |
|
5 |
India |
77% |
83% |
|
6 |
Indonesia |
77% |
75% |
|
7 |
Mexico |
50% |
60% |
|
8 |
Sri Lanka |
53% |
39% |
|
9 |
Guatemala |
47% |
61% |
|
10 |
Pakistan |
47% |
49% |
Source: 2025 USFIA Benchmarking Survey
The American mirage, domestic sourcing still a dream
Despite the political rhetoric, tariffs have not ushered in a manufacturing renaissance. Just 17 per cent of companies plan to increase sourcing from the US, and less than half expect to grow sourcing from the broader Western Hemisphere. In fact, sourcing from Mexico and Central America actually declined. The bottleneck lies in raw material supply and limited product diversity. While Western Hemisphere partners excel in cotton basics, they lack the depth in synthetics and more complex textile construction needed to meet fashion’s fast-changing demands. As one respondent put it, “The CAFTA-DR and USMCA regions are improving in synthetics, but the variety and scale just aren’t enough yet.”
Stability over shock therapy
Even as optimism about the next five years remains at 65 per cent, it has slipped from 75 per cent last year. Small and mid-sized companies, in particular, are feeling the strain more exposed to tariffs, less able to absorb higher costs, and increasingly vulnerable to policy swings.
Policy priorities from the industry are loud and clear as nearly 80 per cent support renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for another decade; 90 per cent favor exempting textiles and apparel from future tariff hikes.
The message to Washington is simple: stability, not shock therapy, will help the US fashion sector compete. Without predictable trade policies and broader sourcing diversification, America’s apparel industry risks walking a tightrope where every misstep carries global consequences.
Cinte Techtextil China is set to be a dynamic industry event in Shanghai, poised to bridge the gap between Asian and Western markets. To be held from September 3-5, the fair will showcase a full spectrum of technical textiles and nonwovens across 12 application areas. A major highlight this year is the debut of the Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone, a new product category that's already attracting major global players. The fair will also focus on the automotive sector, with exhibitors from around the world highlighting their latest solutions.
The event will host a strong mix of international exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, including Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK, the US, and Vietnam. The new chemicals and dyes zone will feature products for a wide range of applications, including sports, safety, and industrial uses.
Key exhibitors in this new zone include:
• Dupré Minerals (UK): The company will present its innovative Micashield Vermiculite Dispersion, a natural, high-temperature barrier that protects technical fabrics from flame and heat, primarily for industrial applications.
• Shanghai Xinnuo Chemical (China): This multi-certified company produces water-based emulsified waxes for medical, industrial, and automotive uses, with a wide range of melting points.
• Yancheng Ruize Color Masterbatch (China): Ruize will showcase its high-quality color and functional masterbatches. Their ISO-certified products are trusted by well-known brands and are used in medical, civil engineering, and automotive applications.
European and German Zones: Highlighting Industry Excellence
With European production of technical textiles and nonwovens returning to pre-pandemic levels, the vast Asian market at Cinte Techtextil China is attracting leading companies to the dedicated European and German Zones.
Returning brands from Switzerland, such as EMS-Griltech, Graf + Cie, and Monosuisse, will be joined by new exhibitors:
• Serel Industrie (Belgium): Specializing in electronic systems, Serel will showcase its new Servo-X 70kV X-ray Generator, designed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of textile recycling and technical fiber production.
• Proton Product International (UK): A leading manufacturer of industrial instrumentation and control equipment, its products are suitable for all 12 application areas at the fair.
The German Zone will also feature a strong lineup of companies, including Autefa Solutions, Mahlo, and Reifenhauser Heinsberg. Highlights include:
• Brueckner Textile Technologies: This company will present a wide range of energy-efficient and sustainable finishing machines for technical textiles, nonwovens, and more.
• Lindauer Dornier: This internationally recognized weaving machine manufacturer produces high-performance fabrics used in airbags, composite structures, and bullet-proof applications.
• Wetekam Group (new): As one of Europe's leading producers of technical monofilaments, 3D elements, and artificial turf yarns, its presence will reinforce the German Zone's reputation for innovation.
Innovations in the automotive sector
The fair will also focus in the automotive industry, featuring global Mobiltech exhibitors.
• JCT Industries (Malaysia): This company will showcase its PVA products, including short-cut and staple fibers, which use local geothermal and renewable water resources. Their materials are used in various industries, including geosynthetics and automotive textiles.
• Jiangsu HongFeng Thread Technology (China): The company will present its polyester and nylon filament and spun sewing threads, with reliable solutions for automotive and other applications. Their products hold key certifications, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and the Global Recycled Standard.
The fair's comprehensive product categories cover the entire industry—from upstream technology and raw materials to finished fabrics and chemicals—ensuring that it serves as an effective business platform for all sectors. Cinte Techtextil China is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK), the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).
The global economic landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, with the BRICS+ bloc leading the charge. With combined purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP of $77 trillion in 2025, these nations are rapidly reshaping global trade, financial markets, and cultural trends. As their influence grows, a new force is emerging at the intersection of economics and culture: the fashion industry.
Recognizing the immense potential within these fast-growing markets, fashion is now taking a pivotal role in strengthening international ties and driving creative collaboration. This transformative movement is spearheaded by influential events like the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, a gathering that not only showcases organizational excellence but also serves as a catalyst for a truly global fashion community.
The epicenter of creativity and commerce
Moscow will host the BRICS+ Fashion Summit from August 28-30, 2025. The event will bring together more than 60 nations to explore the future of fashion. It will serve as a vital platform for cultural diplomacy, where creative industries are leveraged to reflect and amplify the evolving values of a new global order. The summit will feature a vibrant tapestry of voices from countries including India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, the UAE, and Indonesia, alongside participants from Europe and the United States. This diverse representation highlights the event’s commitment to building bridges and fostering dialogue between emerging markets and established fashion players. By focusing on major industry themes, the summit aims to build an environment where innovative projects and partnerships can flourish.
Emerging markets take the lead
A central theme at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit is the powerful rise of emerging markets in the global fashion economy. Fueled by expanding internet infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, and a youthful population keenly attuned to contemporary trends, regions like Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are experiencing a surge of interest in fashion.
As per a Bain & Company report, outpacing both Europe and the US, India's e-commerce fashion market is expected to double by 2027. These regions are actively shaping trends and setting the pace for the rest of the world. According to Antonio Maurizio Grioli, Dean, Pearl Academy, the summit cultivates a fertile ground for projects that strengthen the fashion economy, ranging from local artisan workshops to global brands. The event also provides a critical platform for countries like Türkiye to strengthen economic ties, explore new export channels, and showcase their unique design talent and cultural richness, as noted by Cem Altan, President of the International Apparel Federation (IAF).
Towards a sustainable and technological future
Another critical focus of the summit is the intersection of sustainability and technology. Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever before. McKinsey’s research reveals, 73 per cent of global consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact. This consumer-driven shift is fuelling the growth of brands committed to eco-conscious and ethical practices, as per NielsenIQ data. The potential for innovation, therefore, is at the crossroads of these two crucial trends. Jay Ishak, CEO and Co-Founder, International Fashion Chamber Malaysia, emphasizes, BRICS+ Fashion Summit provides a platform for emerging markets to contribute to global fashion trends and advocate for ethical practices. The summit elevates their voices, helping them collectively define their role in an industry that is rapidly evolving.
Shaping the global fashion narrative
More than just a showcase, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit serves as a collaborative space for community-building. Its ever-expanding scope and focus on meaningful dialogue exemplify how emerging economies and established players can work together to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for fashion. As it continues to grow, this influential gathering ensures that the industry’s future will be defined by cooperation and a rich diversity of voices from around the world.
A top European integrator for fashion and lifestyle brands, Tradebyte has partnered with the global e-commerce platform Shopify to simplify scaling direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses across Europe. The collaboration introduces a new ‘plug-and-play’ integration that removes the need for extensive development work.
The new Tradebyte x Shopify App provides brands with complete control over their e-commerce operations. From their Shopify store, brands can manage over 90 marketplace connections from a single control room. This integration helps fashion and lifestyle companies streamline their operations, reduce technical hurdles, and speed up their time-to-market. This partnership directly addresses a common issue in multichannel commerce: system fragmentation, which can lead to disjointed order management, inconsistent data, and manual reconciliation. By enabling brands to leverage existing content for their Shopify stores, the integration ensures data consistency and saves a significant amount of time.
Benefits of this new app include effortless integration, centralized control and streamlined operations, real-time inventory synchronization, unified insights for smarter decision-making, scalable growth and strategic marketplace matching, faster time to GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume) Apsara Chidambaram, Head of Alliances- EMEA, Shopify states, the platform’s partnership with Tradebyte further empowers fashion and lifestyle brands on Shopify. It simplifies the complexity of multichannel growth and enables merchants to seamlessly increase their reach across Europe's leading marketplaces while maintaining centralized control.
Matthias Schulte, CEO, Tradebyte, adds, the integration eliminates the biggest headache in modern e-commerce - fragmented systems. With just one app, brands can manage their entire direct-to-consumer business, he notes adding, it enables fashion brands to grow faster, cut technical friction, and reduce time-to-online without overwhelming manual overhead. Founded in 2009, Tradebyte has been an independent subsidiary of Zalando since 2016. The company provides more than just integration, offering expertise, analytics, and steering tools to boost efficiency and provide a unified 360-degree view of operations across marketplaces, webshops, and fulfillment.
Global textile experts will collaborate at the 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) from October 7-10 in Porto, Portugal. To include over 100 presentations, the conference will focus on accelerating a circular economy.
The program will highlight several interlocking themes including circularity, digital integration, cleaner chemistry, and a human-centered approach. The dominating theme will be circularity with presentations showing how researchers from different continents are arriving at similar solutions. A team from Manchester, UK, will share how almost half of all end-of-life garments could be channeled into advanced recycling. Meanwhile, researchers from Chemnitz, Germany, will introduce new knitting technology that enables higher proportions of recycled cotton without compromising on softness or durability. Case studies from Bangladesh and Pakistan will also explore how local enterprises are already adopting closed-loop systems, with recycled yarns reaching major global brands.
The conference will highlight how digitalization is becoming the backbone of sustainability. Presentations will cover the use of blockchain, digital product passports, and RFID systems to trace garments throughout their lifecycle, a move that builds consumer trust and helps businesses meet new regulatory requirements. Other topics will include new methods of digital textile printing and open-source knitting software, empowering designers with greater creative freedom.
Addressing the human side of sustainability, TIWC 2025 will introduce a new assessment tool to help apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka build resilience against climate change risks and protect their workers. The Sustainable Fiber Alliance will also showcase how it's engaging cashmere herders in Mongolia to reduce rangeland degradation and safeguard their livelihoods. Additionally, a new study will reveal how brands can better communicate with consumers about garment care.
The conference will emphasize on an unmistakable sense of convergence and solid progress, says Stephanie Dick, CEO, Textile Institute, highlighting technology and recycling alone cannot deliver sustainability without shifts in culture, education, and policy.
