Benetton’s global footprint and brand recognition have shrunk but it is attempting a comeback. The brand is known for its controversial advertising campaigns with an emphasis on social issues such as race and religion. Benetton assembled a network of branded stores. A franchise model let it distribute direct and expand quickly. It used commission-driven agents to oversee regions, often planting several outposts in the same shopping districts. At one point, Benetton had six shops on New York’s Fifth Avenue, some virtually within sight of each other.

The brand built a sophisticated data network to track sales right down to store level and automated its factories and warehouses with Italian robotics, raising fashion from the artisanal to the industrial. It aimed to be flexible enough to respond to shifting taste and demand. It prided itself on its ability to produce, distribute and sell flash collections of products that were proving popular.

However, rivals learnt how to copy or defeat these same strengths. The family wrestled with generational change and the introduction of outside managers. The shock ad campaigns started to look pointlessly provocative. Benetton is now revisiting 30-year-old product lines and emphasising durability over speed.

A bill in Bangladesh has proposed labor-friendly measures. Some of the salient features of the bill are: giving workers more facilities — including reducing the percentage of workers’ participation required for forming trade unions at factories from 30 per cent to 20 per cent, prohibiting children from working in factories, and giving employees who work during festivals leave and wages for two days.

It also says support of 51 per cent workers would be needed as against the present two-thirds to call a strike. In case of natural death the family of the worker concerned will get enhanced compensation. In case of injury too the compensation amount has been hiked. Mentally and physically-challenged laborers cannot be employed in any risky work.

Registration has to be given to a trade union within 55 days of receiving the application. Earlier it was 60 days. The labor court has to deliver judgment in a case within 90 days from the date of filing. If it is not possible to announce the verdict in the stipulated time, the court will have to pass its order within 90 days. If a female worker gives birth before informing the authorities she will get an eight-week leave within three days after informing the authorities.

As per 2016 stats, US imported textiles and apparels worth $120 billion. However, the value of exports of the same variety is six times less. Despite this, 80 per cent Americans prefer to buy domestic made goods if given a choice and 60 per cent are willing to pay 10 per cent more for the “Made in America” label. Taken on its own, US manufacturing is the world’s ninth largest. Manufacturing’s contribution was around $2.25 trillion in 2016. The involvement of environmental issues also stands out in American manufacturing, with countless policies that other leading manufacturing countries simply do not have

As per 2016 stats, US imported textiles and apparels worth $120 billion. However, the value of exports of the same variety is six times less. Despite this, 80 per cent Americans prefer to buy domestic made goods if given a choice and 60 per cent are willing to pay 10 per cent more for the “Made in America” label.

Taken on its own, US manufacturing is the world’s ninth largest. Manufacturing’s contribution was around $2.25 trillion in 2016. The involvement of environmental issues also stands out in American manufacturing, with countless policies that other leading manufacturing countries simply do not have. In addition, manufacturing in the US takes one-half to one-third the time of importing foreign- goods, not to mention reducing the million metric ton worth of emissions that global shipping is responsible for every year.

What makes an American product

According to a 2012 study by Harris Interactive, approximately 75 per cent of Americans agree that the country in which the product is manufactured is what makes it an American product. So Toyotas assembled in Texas or Kentucky is perceived as being more American than Chevrolets assembled in Mexico. More than 50 per cent stated they felt that a product must be “made from parts produced in the U.S.” for it to be considered American and 25 per cent said the product should at least be designed by an American company for it to be considered American.

Advantages of the Made in the USA label

The ‘Made in the USA’ label is not just an indicator of location it’s also a stamp of quality. Foreign imports may not have the same level of quality checks and standards. America-made products provide guaranteed safe, fair working conditions particularly in the manufacturing industry, the US oversight agencies, such as OSHA, the EPA, and other government regulatory bodies that provide regulations and controls to oversee safety and health.

Offering ‘Made in America’ products lets the country employ the US workforce. Investing in American-made products also puts money back into US manufacturing facilities and the American economy. Purchasing locally reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation overseas.

As per 2018 Pitney Bowes Global Ecommerce Study, 61 per cent of online retailers and marketplaces, who had prepared for record volumes of orders this holiday season, were disappointed by their experience during last holiday season. Consumers cited post-purchase experiences, including items arriving late, expensive shipping, tracking inaccuracies, confusing returns policies, and lost or incorrect items as reasons for their dissatisfaction. Though nearly 94 per cent of global consumers shop online; the frequency with which do so accelerates. Globally, 35 per cent of online shoppers shop at least once a week. In India, 68 per cent of online shoppers purchase from a marketplace as opposed to a shopping with an online brand.

As per 2018 Pitney Bowes Global Ecommerce Study, 61 per cent of online retailers and marketplaces, who had prepared for record volumes of orders this holiday season, were disappointed by their experience during last holiday season. Consumers cited post-purchase experiences, including items arriving late, expensive shipping, tracking inaccuracies, confusing returns policies, and lost or incorrect items as reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Higher shopping frequency leads to dissatisfaction

Though nearly 94 per cent of global consumers shop online; the frequency with which do so accelerates. Globally, 35 per cent of online shoppers shop at least once a week. In India, 68 per cent of online shoppers purchase from a marketplace as opposed to a shopping with an online brand.

This increase in shopping frequency, however, contributes to a rise in consumer dissatisfaction. Individual consumers spend more time shopping online and waiting for products, creating a greater probability for a bad experience. As volumes rise, retailers struggle to keep up with demand in terms of physical infrastructure and the technology to manage it effectively.

Preference for ‘free over fast’

The study states, consumers’ judge their post-purchase experience even before placing orders. At the same time, they demand 'fast and free' service with only 47 per cent considering two-day free shipping as fast. Consumers rank 'free shipping' as more important than 'fast shipping'. Globally, 76 per cent consumers prefer 'free' over 'fast'. In India, 56 per cent of consumers prefer free shipping over faster delivery.

Post-purchase experience scores high

The study reveals, 90 per cent online shoppers in the US take some action in response to a bad post-purchase experience. Their reactions range from sharing their frustrations on social media to never purchasing from the offending site again. Among millennials, 30 per cent talk about their poor experience in an online review or social media post, potentially affecting the buying decisions of their entire social networks.

Successful high-growth retailers place a greater emphasis on the post-purchase consumer experience than their slower growth competitors. This includes providing services like free returns and day-definite guaranteed delivery. Around 54 per cent of high-growth retailers offer two-three-day free shipping, while 60 per cent of low-growth retailers offer four-seven-day free shipping.

The study states, marketplaces continue to soak up 60 per cent of online purchases. This also offers an opportunity to retailers to invest in their brand and delight consumers throughout the shopping and post-purchase experience. Around 61 per cent of online shopping occurs when the consumer knows specifically what brand and product they’re looking to buy. In these cases, more than half prefer to buy from a retailer website over an online marketplace.

The US, China, and Japan are the only countries where the number of cross-border shippers increased in 2018. Shoppers who shop cross-border do so more frequently leading to the growth in market. Globally, 12 per cent engage in cross border shopping at least weekly, up from 10 per cent in 2017.

WWF has welcomed a new UN initiative --The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- that encourages apparel and textile supply chains to address climate change. The initiative urges brands, suppliers and other actors to commit to at least a 30 per cent reduction in GHG emissions across the value chain by 2030. It also calls on them to support development of a sector decarbonisation pathway that helps the industry set science-based targets (SBTs), and to collaborate on joint solutions to key climate challenges.

Over a decade ago, collaboration between NGOs and brands like IKEA, H&M and M&S helped establish the Better Cotton Initiative and develop sustainable cotton practices in key markets such as India and Pakistan. WWF and IKEA’s ongoing work with in-country partners is pushing the boundaries of what sustainability means for cotton, and supporting decision-makers in the two countries to adopt and integrate improved practices into agricultural programmes and policies.

Vardhman Textiles proposes to invest about Rs 1,400 crores in the next two years as capex, to be segregated equally between yarn and fabric. The investment would be strategically used to add approximately one lakh spindles. The company is also expanding its total fabric capacity from the current 140 million meters a year to 180 million meters.

Vardhman, which began operations in 1965, is engaged in the business of manufacturing yarn, fabric, acrylic fiber, garments, sewing threads and alloy steel. The group has over the years developed as a business conglomerate with a presence in India and in 75 countries across the globe. It is one of India’s largest textile manufacturers with a substantial market share.

Vardhman invested around Rs 300 crores in fiscal ’18 on modernization of its assets and enhancement of capacity. This is expected to widen the company product offerings in the yarn dyed segment and also help service its clients better. The company is a one-stop shop for all kinds of spun yarn offering a variety of contemporary blends and shades. Yarn constitutes the largest business at Vardhman. The company also manufactures organic cotton, melange, core spun yarns, ultra yarns, gassed mercerised, superfine yarns, slub and cellulose yarns and fancy yarns for hand knitting.

Timberland has recently hired a new global creative director, British designer Christopher Raeburn. The US brand took advantage of the launch of its collaboration with Raeburn - a ready-to-wear apparel line for this autumn - to announce the appointment.

Working with Raeburn, Timberland wants to push its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy further, adopting a “holistic approach” which will encompass all product categories, as well as marketing and retail initiatives. The company is keen to develop more eco-responsible sourcing and come across as a more inclusive brand, with an emphasis on shared values.. The first full Timberland collection designed by Raeburn will be launched for the Autumn/Winter 2020.

Raeburn, 36, set up his fashion design studio in 2009. Since then, he has been engaged in favour of ethical, sustainable fashion, and his design ethos encompasses three key pillars – Remade, Reduced, Recycled. Raeburn shows his collections in London, and previously collaborated with Victorinox in 2010 and Moncler in 2012.

The first Christopher Raeburn x Timberland capsule collection was presented at the London Fashion Week at the start of 2018, and has been available since last Saturday in Timberland stores and on the US brand’s e-shop.

The Mumbai unit of Textile Association (India) will organise an international conference on 'Textile 4.0' on February 7, 2019. The theme will be: “Roadmap for Application of Industry 4.0 in Indian Textile Manufacturing”. This edition of Textile 4.0 will focus on implementation and application of the Industry 4.0 in Indian textile manufacturing. Textile production is a long and complex manufacturing process, starting from the fiber as a raw material and taking it through spinning, weaving or knitting and finishing as final finished products which can be apparel fabrics or home textiles or technical textiles. This needs a deep and prudent understanding to evaluate techo-commercial implications to make a winning case of using this new technological wave to be future ready.

This conference will attract mill owners, top textile professionals, experts and textile technologists from India and across the globe. This high profile conference will be attended by 500 quality participants where they will get the rare opportunity to listen to such high quality experts.

The Clothing and Textile Competitiveness Program in South Africa will receive its share of the R15.9-billion allocated to incentives and the Expanded Public Works Program. To augment this process, government will repriortise clothing and textiles production incentive from special economic zones. Moreover, government will work with the Land Bank to accelerate land reform and maintain the productive use of transferred land.

Under the Land Reform Program, government will provide 30-year leases, which will enable the Land Bank to extend loans to emerging farmers. Similarly, the Land Bank will use a combination of loans and grants to increase production through the Black Producers Commercialisation Program. Funding from the comprehensive agricultural support programme grant will be reprioritised to produce foot-and-mouth disease vaccines. Government is also allocating funds for the South African Isotope facility at iThemba Labs to aid in research. Meanwhile, the Small Business and Innovation Fund will help entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the pre-startup phase and provide support as they scale up their enterprises.

Innovate Textile & Apparel will be held in Amsterdam, November 6 to 8, 2018. This is a new three-day, multi-stream business and technology conference, designed to shed light on the character and progress of digitalisation in the textile value chain, and its implications for business strategy.

Innovate Textile & Apparel will also introduce product developers to the latest smart materials. It includes the Textile 4.0 Conference, Textile Business Futures and Re:Think Materials. The three complementary conferences, each exploring a different theme with innovation at its heart, will deliver vital insights into the most important areas of business and product strategy in textiles and apparel.

Textile 4.0 Conference, November 6 to 7, will explore emerging digital business models and introduce the latest application opportunities in smart factory development, including robotics, the Industrial Internet of Things and virtual or augmented reality. The conference's first day will examine 4.0 themes, including robotics, augmented reality and harnessing big data. Textile Business Futures, November 8, will examine digital business strategy, risk management, return on investment, leadership and culture change.

Re:Think Materials, November 7 to 8, will provide expert technical insights for product developers, including market opportunities in connected textiles, conductive fiber and yarn, textiles for energy harvesting and storage and printed textile electronics.