The following is a round-up of apparel and footwear news from the world’s local media. just-style has not checked these stories so cannot guarantee their accuracy.
- Indian apparel major Raymond is planning to revamp its garment business in a move that includes extending the reach of its flagship namesake brand as well as with drawing under-performing brands like Notting Hill from major cities. THE ECONOMIC TIMES
- A French Government agency has offered technical and financial support to the Bangladesh textile sector through a green production project. Callebaut de Blicquy and two other French companies will install environmentally friendly and cost efficient machinery at two member mills of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and help run them for a year. FASHION NET ASIA
- A textile warehouse went up in flames and power outages were reported across Taiwan after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit Kaohsiung County on Thursday morning. One worker was injured, and the damage is estimated at TWD100m (US$3m). TAIWAN NEWS
- Pakistan’s textile industry has just a 20% share in the domestic market, making it more vulnerable to the global economic downturn, local experts say. The fall in the industry’s share of the local market is blamed on imports of used or worn clothing and increases in fabric smuggling. THE NEWS, PAKISTAN
- Up to 485 Indian textile mills shuttered last year due to finance and labour problems, according to Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran. Of the total closed textile mills, 408 units were in private sector and 77 belonged to the National Textiles Corporation. ASIA PULSE
- Japanese retail group Renown Inc will introduce more clothes made from organic cotton and other environmentally friendly fabrics this year. The firm will expand its Simple Life polo shirts, pants and jackets that use organic cotton, regenerated polyester and other green materials. Despite higher production costs, prices will stay the same. NIKKEI REPORT
