INSIGHTS Apparel in the US sees the highest mix of online and in-store shopping. Consumers value price, quality, and trust, becoming more channel agnostic with tech-powered choices. Shoppers expect personalised, seamless experiences. Social media drives product discovery, especially for Gen Z. There's a demand for online and in-store retail to mirror each other. Apparel is experiencing the highest level of mixed online and in-store shopping in the US, highlighting significant shifts in consu

INSIGHTS Adidas reported an 11 per cent rise in Q2 FY24 currency-neutral revenues, with euro terms reaching €5.822 billion (~$6.39 billion). Excluding Yeezy sales, revenues surged 16 per cent. The gross margin was 50.8 per cent, slightly down from 50.9 per cent in FY23. Operating profit rose to €346 million. Adidas projects €1 billion in operating profit in FY24. Germany-based global sportswear company Adidas has reported a 11 per cent increase in preliminary currency-neutral

INSIGHTS In May 2024, industrial production in the euro area fell by 0.6 per cent MoM, while the EU saw a 0.8 per cent decline. YoY, the euro area and EU experienced decreases of 2.9 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively. Notable declines were seen in Slovenia, Romania, and Denmark, while Ireland, Luxembourg, and Estonia recorded significant increases. In May 2024, seasonally adjusted industrial production in the euro area decreased by 0.6 per cent compared to April 2024, while the Europe

INSIGHTS African nations' fabric imports totalled $1.63 billion in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 7.69 per cent decline from Q1 2023. China was the largest supplier, holding a 40.56 per cent market share, followed by Turkiye, Italy, France, and Spain. In 2023, total imports were $7.08 billion. After a drop to in 2020, imports rebounded to $7.08 billion in 2021.

INSIGHTS Messe Frankfurt France's textile and apparel trade fair will gather nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 26 countries at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 1-3, 2024. New highlights include a Yarn Expo pavilion, a Leather Trend area, and a Chinese Brands Gallery. The event will also showcase near sourcing options from countries like Portugal, Turkiye, and Serbia. Nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 26 countries will gather in Hall 7 of Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, from July 1 to 3, 2024.

INSIGHTS From 5-7 June, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center hosted the Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo. Nearly 1,000 exhibitors presented diverse apparel products, attracting 20,000 visits from 45 countries. Highlights included trend forums, sustainability displays, and key Asian zones. The event facilitated over 250 business matching meetings. From 5 – 7 June 2024, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) was the sourcing hotspot of South Chi

INSIGHTS A team of US researchers has developed a new fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of heat, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. In tests, the material kept 2.3 degrees C cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees C cooler than commercialised silk. Researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago have developed a new wearable fabr

INSIGHTS Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2024, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will introduce the Digital Solutions Zone. This new zone will showcase innovative technologies like additive manufacturing, big data analytics, and digital sustainability solutions. The event will take place from August 27-29 at National Exhibition and Convention Center. In the midst of the business world’s rapid adoption of new technology and the evolving environmental landscap

INSIGHTS The euro area's annual inflation rate rose to 2.6 per cent in May 2024 from 2.4 per cent in April, down from 6.1 per cent a year earlier. The EU's inflation rate increased to 2.7 per cent from 2.6 per cent. Lowest inflation rates were in Latvia and highest in Romania. Inflation fell in eleven EU states, remained stable in two, and rose in fourteen. The euro area’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.6 per cent in May 2024, up from 2.4 per cent in April, according to the latest

INSIGHTS US experienced a 9.53 per cent increase in textile and apparel imports, reaching 30,095.121 million SME in Jan-Apr. Apparel imports rose 1.05 per cent, while non-apparel textiles grew 12.76 per cent. Cotton and MMF imports also saw significant growth. However, exports declined by 2.95 per cent, with apparel, yarn and fabric exports all showing YoY decreases.