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COMMENT: Betting against China is a mug's game- (26th August 2008)
Reports that China may be losing its competitive edge in textiles and clothing are becoming increasingly common. But they could be premature, says David Birnbaum, who advises the industry not to write off China just yet.
In the money: Steve & Barry's sold amid Chapter 11 spree- (22nd August 2008)
A string of Chapter 11 filings by clothing and footwear retailers in recent months shows that fashion is feeling the pinch of an economic slowdown in the US. However, this week's news that fashion chain Steve & Barry's is being bought by an investment firm for US$168m will do much to buoy the sector. Joe Ayling reports.
Software tools help turn fashion ideas into reality- (19th August 2008)
With an increasing focus on quick response and short runs of multiple garment styles, more and more time in the production process is being given over to samples and pre-production work. Here Niki Tait looks at some of the tools behind bringing a good design to market.
Spotlight on...Fast Retailing- (14th August 2008)
Fast Retailing Co, operator of the Uniqlo casual clothing chain, is emerging in Japan as the lone champion in a retail landscape that looks predominantly bleak this year. Michael Fitzpatrick looks at how the company is bucking the trend.
Olympic torch shines on brands in Beijing- (11th August 2008)
As the start of this summer's Beijing Olympics attracts around four billion onlookers from over 200 countries, leading brands are tussling for the inside lane and marketing gold. Joe Ayling reports on how the 2008 Games take on extra significance given the economic momentum of host nation China.
US: Retailers' July 2008 sales roundup- (7th August 2008)
The following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe chains' July 2008 sales results. The list will be updated as new results become available.
Turkish clothing sector gears up for EU membership- (5th August 2008)
Turkish clothing and textile manufacturers are ramping up production of mid- to high-end garments for the European market in the face of strong competition from China and other apparel producing countries. But they are also preparing for Turkey's eventual membership of the European Union (EU), as Paul Cochrane reports.
Better on-shelf availability is key to customer loyalty- (31st July 2008)
Making sure the right products are in-store for shoppers as and when they want them is key to customer loyalty. It sounds simple enough, yet why do so many retailers still get it wrong – and what can they do to improve on-shelf availability? asks Ged Keogh-Peters, head of the UK strategy team at Kurt Salmon Associates.
COMMENT: WTO trade talks threaten garment makers- (28th July 2008)
As the Doha round of world trade talks rumbles into its second week, Mike Flanagan argues negotiations to bring down trade barriers will do more harm to the world’s poorest garment-making countries than the restrictions themselves.
PLM software takes off in apparel supply chain- (24th July 2008)
The fast-fashion revolution is changing the face of the global apparel industry, which is struggling to meet the demands of an increasingly fickle clothing consumer. Enter product lifecycle management (PLM) software, a technology that most market observers say will become a make-or-break investment in the next five years. By Ivan Castano-Freeman.
