United States denim imports from January to July 2018 rose 8.22 per cent in terms of value. In volume terms, US denim imports grew three per cent during the same period.

China’s denim exports to the US grew 2.89 per cent. Mexico’s denim exports to the US fell by 1.85 per cent. Bangladesh’s denim exports to the US rose by 16.30 per cent. Vietnam’s denim exports to the US grew by 37.84 per cent. In the same period, Pakistan’s denim exports to the US jumped 18.91 per cent. Cambodia’s exports surged 32.22 per cent.

Mexico’s sliding share provided opportunities to both Bangladesh and Vietnam in the denim apparel segment. Pakistan is one of the biggest denim exporters in the world. Cambodia is another country which might dent the denim export value of its competitors in the near future.

Denim is on an upswing in the US. Retailers are starting to rebuild their denim assortments. Price points have increased considerably since 2014, creating a more competitive denim market.

Skinny jeans still represent 58 per cent of women’s jeans. Straight leg jeans come second followed by cropped and ripped. Other silhouettes that have gained since 2016 are cropped, culotte, mom and wide.