The National Retail Federation (NRF) has expressed disappointment over US plans to move ahead with tariffs on $50 billion worth Chinese imports that will lead to higher costs for US consumers, fewer jobs and retaliation. Job-killing tariffs aren’t the answer to China’s worrisome trade practices, NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “As the US and China prepare for another round of negotiations, we hope the administration has clearly defined objectives and concrete soluti

The unemployment rate in the US has reached its lowest since April 2000, as many industries including retail continue to hire. According to the National Retail Federation, the retail industry employment was up by 28,800 jobs seasonally adjusted in May over April and 100,200 jobs unadjusted year-over-year. Overall, US businesses added 223,000 jobs in May. “May’s rebound in jobs together with the report of solid income growth and the rise in consumer confidence points to the economy functioni

The net revenue of Guess for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 14.7 per cent to $521.3 million, compared to $454.3 million in the prior-year quarter. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 7.7 per cent. The company recorded GAAP net loss of $21.2 million, a 0.3 per cent improvement compared to $21.3 million for the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the company posted adjusted net loss of $17.8 million, a 7.9 per cent improvement compared to $19.4

Cotton USA, which promotes US cotton fibre and manufactured cotton products globally, participated in the Apparel Sourcing Show 2018, which was held from May 15 to 17, 2018, at the Guatemala City in US. Fourteen US textile mills were showcased as part of the Cotton USA Sourcing Programme pavilion at the global apparel and textile industry fair. US mills were featured in the show’s directory, on banners throughout the show, and on bags given to each attendee. Approximately 120 representativ

Featuring 139 exhibitors from 17 countries, Apparel Textile Sourcing (ATS) - Miami showcased textiles, trims and accessories, manufacturing and private development services and finished apparel at the recently concluded exhibition. The three-day tradefair is the first Miami-based sourcing trade event to host the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. "This shows us that there was a true need to create a comprehensive sourcing platform in the Miami marketplace. I am confident that the s

The Indian finance and textile ministries have refused to allow the refund of input tax credit (ITC) to the power loom weaving sector. This was conveyed recently to Synthetic and Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) chairman Narain Agarwal by finance minister Piyush Goyal and textile minister Smriti Irani in separate meetings in New Delhi. Both the ministers categorically refused to allow ITC refund to the power loom weaving sector and stated that the accumulation of ITC in othe

The US Home Fashion Products Association (HFPA) has rebutted the argument for tariffs on Chinese textiles imports. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) gave testimony to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in favour of such tariffs on May 17. The US Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) and Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI) also back the tariffs. As the shift of home textiles manufacturing to Asia was highly disruptive, several companies did not survive the transit

Australian technology company Nanollose has developed a sustainable fabric from Nullarbor, a fiber created using natural coconut by-products. This fabric is the first of its kind marking a breakthrough for an industry that is urgently seeking sustainable alternatives to rayon and cotton, both of which cause significant environmental issues. Nullarbor is named from Latin phrase nullus arbor, which means “no trees” (much like the Nullarbor Plain near the Great Australian Bight). There is an i

Esprit, the Hong-Kong based fashion brand, has committed to raise sustainable viscose production as outlined by Changing Markets Foundation roadmap. Esprit will work with suppliers and viscose manufacturers to move to a closed loop production system by 2023-25. With this, Esprit commits to improve the manufacturing process of viscose and modal fibers. Esprit to increase more sustainable viscose productionFigure: To minimize the effects of harmful chemicals in the manufacturing processes,

In the face of inflation of wages, energy and food and commodities, automation and investment in technology has become the biggest opportunity and need of the apparel industry considering how labour-intense the industry is, said Sanjay Mahtani, owner, Must Garment Corporation. The firm has benefitted by investing in RFID production technology and nanotech. “We have invested heavily in RFID production technology and nanotech and foam dyeing for our wet processing. Some of these efforts have