BRIEFING: Apparel sourcing in 2006: what can be learnt from events in 2005?

Roll the clock back one year to the end of 2004, and what were the key issues dominating the headlines? The abolition of quotas, protective measures (safeguards and anti-dumping measures), the trade relationships between the US and China, and the EU and China? These are all reflected on in this month's management briefing, and the implications from these issues for 2006 are discussed. The underlying message of this briefing is to expect change to continue to be a feature of the apparel sourcing environment.