BRIEFING: Seven macro trends in the textiles and apparel industry

If there was a year when long-term textile and clothing market forecasters missed by a mile, 2008 was it. Forecasts made in 2007 were dominated by looming concerns about trade restrictions, investment in technology, a potential slow-down of production and a consolidation of business investment but no one predicted what devastating effects an unexpected recession would have on the textiles and apparel sector. The global recession has led to fundamental and widespread change in the economic landscape for the clothing and textile sector. This month, just-style assesses the recent key trends in the clothing and textile industry.