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Wolverine WorldWide Inc has appointed Cheryl Abel-Hodges and Jack Boyle to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer, Tommy John, Inc since 2023, Hodges was earlier engaged as the CEO of the PVH Corp-owned brand Calvin Klein. She has also held executive leadership roles at the brand including Group President, Calvin Klein - North America, and The Underwear Group, where she led the brand’s North American wholesale and retail businesses. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany and also serves on the Board of Directors of Haworth, Inc.
Having recently retired from Fanatics Holdings, Inc, Boyle served as the President-Buying and North America , Fanatics Commerce. In this role he oversaw the strategic direction of merchandising and vendor management across all direct-to-consumer channels for over 900 sports partnerships. Prior to Fanatics, he was employed at the Kohl’s Corporation for a decade in various merchandising leadership positions, He also worked in the Merchandising Deparment at Famous-Barr, a division of The May Department Stores Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, and also sits on the Board of Directors of Destination XL Group, Inc.
Founded in 1883, Wolverine World Wide, Inc is one of the world’s leading designers, marketers, and licensors of branded casual footwear and apparel, performance outdoor and athletic footwear and apparel, kids’ footwear, industrial work boots and apparel, and uniform footwear. The Company’s portfolio includes Merrell, Saucony, Sweaty Betty, Hush Puppies, Wolverine, Chaco, Bates, Hytest, and Stride Rite.
According to Tom Long, Chairman, Wolverine Worldwide, both Abel-Hodges and Boyle have extensive experience in merchandising, brand management, and omnichannel retail, and have demonstrated the ability to lead organizations through high growth periods. Their vast experience leading brands, building teams, and focusing on consumers will contribute significantly to the company.
Rubana Huq, Former President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has voiced grave concerns following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi imports. Huq warns, this significant tariff could have a devastating impact on Bangladesh's vital export sector.
The tariffs will prove disastrous for Bangladesh's export sector, states Huq. Highlighting the competitive disadvantage this places Bangladesh in, she explains, when Vietnam exports garments at a 20 per cent tariff, we will have to pay 35 per cent. And we are still not certain whether the existing 16 per cent will also be added.
The potential addition of the existing tariff would exacerbate the situation, leading to what Huq described as a ‘terrible’ scenario. Expressed uncertainty regarding ongoing negotiations, she notes, it is not known whether the government is negotiating or has negotiated with the United States.
Despite the immediate concerns, Huq believes, a window for diplomacy remains open with Bangladesh having time until August to reduce these tariffs through discussions.
A leading online resale platform for apparel, shoes, and accessories, ThredUp plans to release its second quarter financial results for the period ending June 30, 2025 on August 4, 2025 after the close of US markets.
ThredUp is at the forefront of transforming the resale market through innovative technology and a commitment to promoting secondhand first. By simplifying the process of buying and selling pre-owned items, ThredUp has emerged as one of the world's largest online resale platforms for clothing, footwear, and accessories.
The platform offers a seamless experience for sellers, enabling them to easily declutter their closets and unlock value for themselves or their chosen charities, all while contributing to a more sustainable planet. Buyers benefit from access to a vast selection of value, premium, and luxury brands in a single destination, with prices up to 90 per cent off estimated retail.
ThredUp's success is built upon its proprietary operating platform, which includes distributed processing infrastructure, advanced software and systems, and deep data science expertise. Through its ‘Resale-as-a-Service’ (RaaS) offering, ThredUp empowers some of the world's most prominent brands and retailers to integrate customizable and scalable resale experiences directly for their customers. To date, ThredUp has processed over 200 million unique secondhand items from 60,000 brands across 100 categories, fundamentally changing consumer shopping habits and fostering a more sustainable future.
US President Donald Trump announced a significant expansion of tariffs this week, initially targeting South Korea and Japan with a 25 per cent duty on imports. Within hours, Trump extended these new tariff hikes to twelve additional countries: Myanmar, Laos, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Tunisia, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia, and Thailand. Described by Trump as a broad effort to rectify ‘unfair trade imbalances,’ this move reflects his ongoing push to reduce America's trade deficit.
Communicated via letters to foreign leaders posted on Trump's Truth Social account, these new tariff rates are set to take effect on August 1. Trump warned. any retaliatory measures by these nations would result in further duty increases from Washington. He emphasized, while the United States remains open to trade, it demands ‘more fair and balanced’ terms. Notably, he offered an exemption for foreign manufacturers willing to shift their production to the US.
Trump asserted, these tariffs are crucial to correct years of ‘Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers’ that have led to what he deems unsustainable trade deficits, posing a threat to the US economy and national security. According to the Associated Press, trade tensions persist with the European Union and India, and more protracted negotiations are anticipated with China, whose imports are already subject to a 55 per cent tariff.
In his letters to Japan and Korea, Trump explicitly stated, starting on August 1, 2025, the US will charge Japan/Korea a Tariff of only 25 per cent on any and all Japanese products sent into the country, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher tariff.
AMI will launch the inaugural edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA from April 29-30, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. Aiming to replicate the success of its European counterpart, the exhibition and conference will provide a crucial platform for the industry to tackle the escalating issue of textile waste, encompassing fabrics, clothing, footwear, fibers, and non-wovens.
Having debuted on June 4-5, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, the original Textiles Recycling Expo was widely lauded as a landmark event. It attracted an impressive 126 exhibitors and 3,336 visitors from 67 countries, making it the largest gathering focused on textile recycling to date.
There is a significant interest amongst American consumers for this European event, notes Zied Chetoui, Event Manager. The industry needs to set up a dedicated meeting place to foster dialogue and progress within the North American textile recycling community, he adds.
Industry estimates reveal, Americans discard over 10 million tons of textiles annually, with only a small fraction currently being recycled. The US fashion and waste management sectors are under increasing pressure to boost recycling rates and minimize landfill waste. The Textiles Recycling Expo USA will directly address these challenges, promoting information exchange, innovation, and collaboration to build a more circular and sustainable future for the industry.
The event will feature an expansive exhibition hall showcasing leading suppliers of relevant technologies and services. Additionally, an open conference theater will host keynote presentations, panel discussions, and case studies, delving into critical topics such such as regulatory developments, market trends, technical innovations, supply chain advancements, and investment opportunities.
Andy Beevers, Events Director at AMI, explains, Charlotte was selected as the location for the expo as the city and surrounding areas make up a major hub for textiles production, recycling and research. The city also has great transport connections and excellent exhibition facilities, he adds.
The Eurozone expects GDP growth in Q2, FY25 to remain negative as retail sales declined 0.7 per cent M-o-M in May 2025. This coincides with a -0.3 per cent drop in overall services activity in April. This concrete data supports expectations of negative GDP growth for the second quarter (April-June).
While retail sales demonstrated strength early in the year, fueled by wage growth despite consumer apprehension, May's figures present a ‘reality check.’ Though potentially influenced by holiday timing, this decline clearly indicates a downward trend in consumer spending.
Despite this downturn, the potential for a retail sales rebound remains significant due to recovering purchasing power across the Eurozone. However, stubbornly high saving rates, driven by persistent uncertainty and low consumer confidence, are currently hindering a stronger recovery in European retail.
Further compounding the economic concerns, Eurostat's broader services data for April reveals a weak start to the second quarter. The -0.3 per cent decline from March was primarily driven by substantial drops in ICT and real estate activities. While the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for services showed slight improvement in June, it suggested stagnation rather than a robust recovery.
The confirmed weakness in the services sector, coupled with the retail sales slump, reinforces the view that GDP growth in Q2, FY25 may indeed be negative. This outlook is further underscored by the potential for a reversal in the frontloading of US imports, which could negatively impact the trade balance. Following a strong Q1, economic activity in Q2 is likely to serve as a ‘reality check,’ with the overall trend remaining sluggish.
A recent analysis of global garment import trends from 2013 to 2024 reveals a divergence in strategies and market dynamics between the European Union and the US. While the EU has consistently increased its garment imports, revealing a growing appetite for international textiles, the US market has largely remained stagnant, and in some areas, even seen a decline. This contrasting picture points to a reshaping of the global garment trade, with implications for both importing blocs and exporting nations.
A tale of two markets
From 2013 to 2024, EU garment imports have shown a consistent upward trajectory, with substantial growth. In stark contrast, US garment imports have largely fluctuated, ending the period at levels similar to where they began.
Table: Global garment imports: EU vs US ($ millions)
|
Year |
EU imports ($ mn) |
US imports ($ mn) |
Trend (2013-24) |
|
2013 |
105,000 |
80,000 |
EU: Significant Increase |
|
2024 |
152,000 |
80,000 |
US: Remained Stable |
Data approximated from source PDF.
Shifting sourcing strategies
The divergence becomes even clearer when examining specific exporting nations. Below is a simplified overview of garment import data for the EU and US from various countries, highlighting the start (2013) and end (2024) values, along with a general trend summary.
Table: Country-specific garment imports: EU vs US ($ mn)
|
Country |
Imports in 2013 (EU) |
Imports in 2024 (EU) |
EU Trend |
Imports in 2013 (US) |
Imports in 2024 (US) |
US Trend |
|
China |
37000 |
34500 |
Remained Steady |
29500 |
15500 |
Declined |
|
Bangladesh |
13000 |
27500 |
Significant Increase |
5000 |
7000 |
Slight Increase |
|
Vietnam |
2700 |
7000 |
Increased |
7800 |
15000 |
Significant Increase |
|
Cambodia |
2200 |
6500 |
Significant Increase |
2500 |
3800 |
Increased |
|
Pakistan |
1600 |
4500 |
Significant Increase |
1400 |
2200 |
Increased |
|
Sri Lanka |
1200 |
2100 |
Increased |
1650 |
1650 |
Remained Stable |
|
Myanmar |
150 |
3300 |
Significant Increase |
20 |
200 |
Slight Increase |
|
Morocco |
3200 |
4500 |
Increased |
100 |
300 |
Slight Increase |
|
Turkey |
11500 |
13800 |
Increased |
500 |
1250 |
Increased |
|
Tunisia |
2900 |
2950 |
Remained Stable |
150 |
300 |
Increased |
|
UK |
2900 |
1600 |
Declined |
100 |
160 |
Slight Increase |
What’s driving the trends?
There are several reasons for the disparate trends:
• Economic growth and consumer demand: Stronger consumer demand and economic growth within the EU compared to the US might be driving the increased import volumes.
• Trade policies and agreements: The EU's extensive network of trade agreements and preferential tariffs with various garment-producing nations could be facilitating higher import volumes. The US, on the other hand, might have different trade priorities or less favorable agreements with certain key suppliers.
• Diversification of supply chains: The US appears to be actively diversifying its garment sourcing, particularly away from China, which has led to stagnation or decline in overall import figures, even as imports from other nations like Vietnam increase.
• Geopolitical considerations: Geopolitical factors and specific country-related risks or opportunities could be influencing sourcing decisions for both blocs. For instance, the significant growth in EU imports from Myanmar might be tied to specific investment or trade initiatives.
• Fashion trends and market specifics: Differences in fashion trends, consumer preferences, and retail strategies between the EU and US markets could also play a role in shaping import demands.
Outlook, a continuing divide
The data suggests that the EU and US are on distinct paths regarding garment imports. The EU's consistent growth highlights its role as a key driver of demand in the global textile market, while the US appears to be undergoing a recalibration of its supply chains. This ongoing difference will likely continue to reshape the global garment industry, impacting production hubs, logistics networks, and ultimately, consumer choices worldwide. As these trends evolve, close monitoring will be essential to understand the full economic and social ramifications for both importing powerhouses and the nations that clothe them.
Growing at a CAGR of 4.90 per cent from 2025-32, the global textile recycling market is projected to reach a value of $7.2 billion by 2032.
This market expansion is likely to be propelled by several key factors including environmental regulations that are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. For example, the European Union mandates separate textile waste collection by January 1, 2025, to boost reuse and recycling.
The rise of circular economy initiatives, particularly in fashion, sees brands investing in closed-loop systems to transform old garments into new products. Consumer awareness of fashion's environmental footprint is also growing, influencing purchasing decisions towards sustainable and recycled options.
Furthermore, technological advancements like AI-powered sorting and efficient fiber recovery are making recycling more viable, while brand collaborations (eg: Patagonia, H&M) are expanding take-back programs and eco-friendly collections.
The textile industry is notoriously resource-intensive and polluting. With over 17 million tons of textile waste generated in the US alone in 2018, the potential for growth in this sector is immense. Textile recycling offers substantial benefits, including reducing landfill waste and conserving water, energy, and raw materials by lessening the reliance on virgin fibers.
Regionally, Europe is set to maintain its dominance due to strong regulations, early adoption of sustainable practices, and well-developed recycling infrastructure in countries like Germany and Sweden. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, India, and Bangladesh, is expected to witness the fastest growth, driven by increasing awareness and significant investments in recycling infrastructure. China aims to recycle 25 per cent of its textile waste and produce 2 million tons of recycled fiber annually by 2025. North America is also an important market, with the US enhancing its infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
The market employs mechanical recycling, which is cost-effective and dominant for natural and synthetic fibers, and chemical recycling, which breaks down fabrics at a molecular level for high-purity recovery, despite being more expensive and less scalable currently.
Despite this positive momentum, challenges persist, including a lack of infrastructure for collection and processing, contamination issues from mixed fibers and dyes, relatively low consumer participation, and the economic viability of recycling compared to producing virgin fibers.
A leading online fashion and lifestyle destination across Latin America, Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand, the Global Fashion Group (GFG) has appointed Felipe Garcia Alvarez as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its e-commerce platform Zalora. He is slated to join the company at the beginning of September.
Alvarez brings over two decades of extensive experience to Zalora, with a proven track record in e-commerce, digital transformation, and the fashion industry across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. His previous leadership roles include serving as CEO of Namshi following its acquisition by Emaar Malls. He also held the position of Executive Vice President-Fashion Fashion, Lazada, and spent four years at Amazon.
At Amazon, Alvarez played a key role in establishing the first centralized EU category team for consumer operations before going on to lead the UK Fashion Division. His ability to drive profitable growth and navigate business transformations in the e-commerce fashion and retail sectors across diverse regions will be invaluable as Zalora continues its own transformation journey.
Christoph Barchewitz, CEO, GFG, opines, with his strong focus on enhancing the brand’s assortment, elevating customers’ experiences, and adapting marketing strategies, Alvarez will help lead Zalora's transformation.
Alvarez adds, one of the most well-known and loved fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia, Zalora offers unlimited opportunities to connect consumers with world of fashion.
Global Fashion Group operates three key e-commerce platforms: Dafiti, Zalora, and The Iconic. These platforms connect an extensive assortment of international, local, and private label brands to 800 million consumers, empowering them to express their true selves through fashion. GFG aims to provide seamless and inspiring customer experiences, driven by a blend of art, science, and unparalleled local knowledge. The company's vision is to be the premier fashion and lifestyle destination in LATAM, SEA, and ANZ, while maintaining a commitment to responsible practices that benefit both people and the planet.
A global leader in sustainable fibers and solutions for the apparel industry, The Lycra Company will showcase the Lycra bio-derived EcoMade fiber at the Milano Unica trade show, to be held from July 8-10, 2025 in Milan.
Recognized as the world’s first commercially available renewable elastane fiber, EcoMade fiber is made with 70 per cent renewable materials, including field corn. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional elastane, delivering equivalent performance, comfort, and seamless compatibility with existing fabric production processes, requiring no design or pattern adjustments.
For the third consecutive year, The Lycra Company will host the Lycra Brand Lounge in Hall 4, within the MarediModa area. Here, top-tier European companies will unveil their Spring/Summer 2027 fabric and accessory collections for swimwear, underwear, and athleisure.
Designed as a dynamic space for discovery and connection, the Lycra Brand Lounge will be enriched with multimedia content and videos illustrating the company’s latest innovations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience a virtual reality journey, offering an immersive tour through the cornfields of Iowa that visualizes the transformation process from crop to bio-derived Lycra EcoMade fiber.
Milano Unica will also feature the first public presentation in Italy of apparel made with bio-derived Lycra EcoMade fiber, showcasing the fiber's real-world applications. A dedicated section within the Lounge will display garments from Carvico, the renowned Italian manufacturer of technical fabrics for sport and beachwear, and Agolde, the premium American denim brand.
Alistair Williamson, Vice President-EMEA and South Asia, The Lycra Company states, Milano Unica remains an ideal platform to showcase how the vision of The Lycra Company is turning into reality - thanks to the strategic collaborations with leading brands and manufacturers across the textile value chain.
