Textile Recycling: An Important Concept

The recycling of textiles means the reusing or reprocessing of used apparel, clothing scraps and fibers that are left over in the manufacturing process. Apart from discarded clothing and textiles, other sources for recycling of textiles include- carpets, upholstery, sheets towels, footwear, and other soft goods.

Some data:

As per US EPA, about 5% of all landfill space is occupied by textile wastes.  The EPA also says that the textile recycling industry recycles nearly 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) annually, which is just 15% of the total PCTW. 85% of PCTW goes to the landfills. 

52% of the clothing purchased annually in the UK, or 1,081,000 tons of clothing, is thrown away in landfills. Likewise, in many countries, textile recycling has a great scope of improvement.

Why recycle?

Textile recycling is a need for a better future; the concept has both ecological and economic advantages. Recycling textiles reduces the use of many polluting and energy-using processes that go into the making of textile manufacturing using fresh raw materials.

• Usage of chemicals like dyes and fixing agents is greatly reduced
•  Landfill space requirement is reduced. Synthetic fibers in landfills do not decompose, woolen garments produce methane gas on decomposition. Thus, landfills can create ecological problems as well.
• Recycled textiles mean less buying of fresh material
• Fibers, when recycled lead to cost savings involved in importing from other countries. This saves time, money and energy resources.
• The manufacturing of new products is easier as recycled material does not need dyeing or scouring.
• Wastage of water is reduced as extensive washing is not required.
• The stress for producing fresh textile resources is also reduced to an extent.

Major textile sources for recycling: There are two major types of resources- post-consumer and pre-consumer. Post-consumer resources include clothing, upholstery, and household goods. Pre-consumer resources include by-products or scraps left over during the textile manufacturing process and scrap textiles left over from other industries.

• Used clothing
• Used footwear
• Leather goods
• Cotton, wool, silk, polyester, nylon fiber recycling
• Polyurethane foam
• Carpets, rugs and wipers
• Used bags

Textile recycling process:

Textiles are generally either natural or may contain synthetic fibers. The textile recycling method is broadly defined by its durability and composition.

Firstly, all collected textile material is sorted and classified by skilled and experienced labors who have the expertise to differentiate between various types of fibers –synthetics, natural and blended fibers. After this initial sorting, all items are sent to various destinations.

At fiber reclamation mills, all material is graded as per type and color. Textiles are shredded into smaller fibers to be blended with other selected fibers. Next, carding of the blended mixture is done to clean the fibers and make them ready for spinning. Finally, weaving or knitting is done. For the manufacturing of mattresses, the fibers may also be compressed. To send to the flocking industry, fibers may be shredded to make fillers for use in cars as roofing felts, car insulation fillers, furniture padding and panel linings.

In the case of specialized synthetic materials, firstly, fasteners such as zippers and buttons are removed, followed by shredding the textile material into bits. The shredded stuff is granulated and small pellets are formed. The pellets are polymerized into polyester chips. The chips are melted and spun to filament fibers to produce new polyester fabrics.

With better awareness and facilities in textile recycling, the textile industry can benefit from the concept to a large extent, saving time, energy and the environment in the long run.

Holiday season: Impact on the World Textile Industry

As the holiday season rolls in, speculations about its success or failure are at their peak.  Most experts suspect a sluggish state of affairs in the textile industry, one of the worst in the last four to five years.

Based on an extensive statistical evaluation of more than 60,000 locations, it is estimated that retail sales for December, 2013 will increase marginally as compared to a 3% increase in December, 2012. There was a 4% increase in retail sales in the years 2010 and 2011. 

Some challenges to the textile industry: Currently, people are feeling a bit shaky about shopping this holiday season. Rising interest rates, infighting over the national budget by Congressional bodies, the lack of certainty over US involvement in Syria and various other macroeconomic factors affect consumer behavior. People are spending more of their income on cars, homes and insurance, and are curtailing other expenses, including apparel, textiles and footwear. The holiday season impact on world textile industry is being speculated upon a lot.

Consumers are fast realizing that interest rates have been showing a steady upward trend in the recent past. As a result, they are focusing on larger purchases that may require a loan, in order to gain better interest rates at present. They believe that financial products will cost more in the future with rising interest rates. Until the interest rates stabilize, even the holiday season impact on world textile industry will continue to be subdued.

A ray of hope: In spite of all the speculated downtrend, ShopperTrak suggests that this holiday season, days from December 20^th to December 24^th could be the busiest shopping days across the USA. They advise that retailers should look forward to a narrower time-window for spending by consumers. They also suggest that although store visits will be fewer, the spending will not be reduced. ShopperTrak hopes to see a rise in retail sales by about 2.4%, as compared to the year 2012.

Market research experts predict that “Super Saturday”, the Saturday before Christmas will be this holiday season’s strongest revenue grosser for shoppers in terms of sales.

Holidays are associated with a great focus on celebrations and gifting traditions. Across the world, apparel and textile manufacturers, buyers and retailers plan their Christmas shipments well in advance to meet the growing demand by consumers. The consumers, on their part, may wait till weekends to hit the stores. They will definitely plan their purchases, well in advance. It is for the store owners to foresee the trend and offer stocks accordingly.

Holiday Shopping Season Forecast Looks Grim

As the holiday shopping season fast approaches, predictions abound regarding its success or failure. At least one major forecaster expects disappointment, potentially the worst season since 2009. 

ShopperTrak predicts that retail sales for this coming November and December will inch up a meager 2.4%, a drop from last year’s 3 percent increase and the 4 percent increases of both 2010 and 2011. These conclusions are based on a wide-ranging statistical analysis of store traffic at more than 60,000 locations.

ShopperTrak’s founder Bill Martin cited a number of factors for the forthcoming malaise, including rising interest rates, congressional infighting over the national budget, uncertainty regarding U.S. involvement in Syria and a bevy of macroeconomic indicators. “It’s got people feeling more tenuous about the holiday season, “ said Martin.

Read complete news here:

 https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/holiday-shopping-season-forecast-looks-grim/

China’s Textile Industry Leans Green

Speaking at the Texworld USA show in midtown Manhattan, Zhang Yankai, vice president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, promised an increased commitment by the Chinese textile industry to environmental progress. ‘In the next four years, we are going to work very hard to create a green environment so [the industry] continues growth in the future.”

In a rare moment of candid self-criticism last week,  China issued a report card on the nation’s environmental conditions, describing them as “grim.” The report also noted a “marked deterioration in China’s air, water and land quality.” A shockingly low twenty-seven out of 113 cities evaluated satisfied the bare minimum quality standards, set by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. More than 30 percent of China’s major rivers were labeled either “polluted” or “seriously polluted” while more than 57 percent of the groundwater assessed in 198 cities was “bad or “extremely bad.”

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/chinas-textile-industry-leans-green/

Challenges for Apparel Sourcing

Apparel sourcing is seeing turbulence in the near future, the current industry trends are quite in contrast to what was projected in the last couple of years.

McKinsey & Company had forecast in 2011 that ready-made garment exports would triple in a decade, leading to the countries to rise at the rate of 7-9% and export value of nearly $36-42billion by 2020. But their latest research suggests that Bangladesh seems to have lost much of its magic!

A recent survey of chief purchasing officers (CPOs) in European/ U.S. apparel companies cautions about the challenge of shifting production to countries with lower labor costs. In the survey, the recent Rana Plaza factory collapse came out to be the major reason for this downtrend. The Textile industry business profiles indicate that most investors are now more cautious about Bangladesh as a sourcing destination. While in 2011, Bangladesh was ranked by 70% industry players as a hotspot for apparel sourcing, recent data suggests that only one-third industry players rank the country in the top three places for apparel sourcing.
However, Bangladesh still seems to be the country with the greatest scope for apparel sourcing in the near future - which is well-evident with the U.S. data, where the country's shipments increased in 2013.

Continuous rise in sourcing costs:               

The recent McKinsey & Company survey also implies that buyers agree that sourcing costs will rise steadily in the nest one year, ending decades of deflation in apparel prices. Achim Berg, the author of the survey states: "We have now reached a tipping point and it will become even more difficult to keep consumer prices stable"

The up-market segment of large industry players is more affected by this as compared to the mid-market segment. Almost 76% of mid-segment respondents in the survey expect a rise of about 1.7% in costs, irrespective of the sourcing destination. In fact, some expect a rise of up to 4%. The large players said they foresee a rise in sourcing costs by 2-3.5%.

The main factor driving these increasing costs is undoubtedly, labor expenses. Next is the cost of raw material. The shift of purchasing power has worked against the mid-market players.

While the projected sourcing price rise is eventual, some CPOs are trying their best to lessen it - major players are moving greater parts of their sourcing from countries offering cheap labor expenses. This strategic move will pose challenges to value players who began apparel sourcing in such countries, earlier on.
Also, 69% of respondents in the survey stated that proximity was another important factor. Companies now are showing enhanced social responsibility and work on plans to meet any contingencies they could face in the sourcing destinations.

Globally, textile industry business profiles agree that challenges for apparel sourcing shall be immense in the times to come.

Li & Fung Pushes China As Key Sourcing Destination

Li & Fung, which released earnings numbers this week showing falling profits, stated in its earnings call that China has enduring importance as a sourcing destination. The country is key for retailers and importers.

“China continues to be number one,” LF president and CEO Bruce Rockowitz said, announcing the company’s earnings. “A lot of people talk about the end of China; it’s not true. China is the key country for a company that is an importer or retailer.”

Much ink has been spilled over the impact of higher labor costs in China, which have been rising at double-digit rate for over a decade. Rockowitz said that many companies are mitigating those costs by moving to the interior of the country, where wages are lower. Companies are also working with more mechanized factories that use manpower more efficiently.

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/li-fung-pushes-china-as-key-sourcing-destination/

Retailers Enrich Consumer Experience With QR Codes

The funky black and white squares posted in store windows may look like optical illusions to some, but are gateways to customized shopping for those who recognize a QR code. 

More retailers — especially the bigger chains — are using these 2D matrix barcodes in-store or in window displays to enrich the consumer shopping experience, whether customers have time to go in-store or not.  The QR — short for Quick Response — code can be packed with information, all for the taking by anyone with a smartphone or tablet. 

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/retailers-enrich-consumer-experience-with-qr-codes/

China Loses Share of US Apparel Imports to Vietnam and Bangladesh in IH 2013

Helped by relatively low labor costs, apparel imports from Vietnam and Bangladesh grew faster than those from China and India in the first half of 2013.

Vietnam now has a more than 10% share of U.S. apparel imports which, though much smaller than China’s 33.8% share, is growing the fastest, on both a dollar and unit (square meter equivalent basis), of all the key apparel trading partners.

Check for more data & deeper insights about apparel imports on Sourcing Journal. 

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/china-loses-share-of-us-apparel-imports-to-vietnam-and-bangladesh-in-ih-2013/

10 Ideas in Retail That Will Revolutionize Shopping

Chris Kreinczes of Springwise – a network of entrepreneurs and innovators, which serves as a hub of new business ideas – has compiled a list of 10 new retail ideas he predicts “change the way you shop.” The winning concepts, which ran in Forbes earlier this year, are linked by “their desire to make the shopping experience more enjoyable,” and, according to Kreinczes, “have taken place at the heart of the product or shopping experience” – no last-minute, tacked on promotions made the list.

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/10-ideas-in-retail-that-will-revolutionize-shopping/

WTO Report: Developing World Will Dominate Textile Exports

According to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) most recent forecasts, developed nations like the US are likely to be replaced by emerging economies like China as the principal exporters of manufactured goods.

The WTO’s “2013 World Trade Report” predicts the continued, vigorous expansion of international trade in manufactured products, defying the conventional wisdom that a lagging manufacturing industry is gradually losing ground to the selling of services. Furthermore, the report anticipates that textiles and apparel will “account for over two-thirds of world exports and to increase by a factor of almost 4.5 in volume by 2035.”

Despite impressive growth in the services sector as well, including banking, transportation, travel, and insurance, services are expected to comprise no more than 19 percent of all global exports, a meager uptick from 17 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, manufacturing will account for 68 percent of world exports.

Also, the WTO projects that the continued enlargement of the global export market will be propelled by increasingly aggressive developing economies. China will lead the pack, gobbling up 29 percent of the market, a considerable improvement on its 19 percent share in 2012. Conversely, the US’s share of the export market is foreseen losing ground, dropping from 16 percent to 8 percent. The European Union’s (EU) slice of the pie is also predicted to contract significantly, shrinking to 11 percent from 20 percent.

The report’s outlook presupposes both sustained global economic growth and the further liberalization of international trade. While the WTO criticized the EU for several trade abuses,  including the violation of anti-dumping regulations, it still praised it for eschewing protectionist measures designed to shield it from foreign competition. A separate report on the EU’s trade practices remarked, “The fact that there has not been a retreat into protectionism is in itself a positive sign.”

Chief WTO economist Patrick Low attributed the tectonic shift in the export market from the developed to the developing world to the changing landscape of business. “Global supply chains have changed the patterns of international trade.”

Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/wto-report-developing-world-will-dominate-textile-exports/

Rising Cotton Prices Hurt Small Exporters

The rising cost of cotton has dealt a major blow to the profitability of small and medium-sized cotton exporters. Saddled with heavy input costs, and unable to hedge against price volatility with futures and options contracts, home-based exporters in places like Panipat, India are struggling to survive.

Most major exporters have benefited recently from the weakening of the rupee against the dollar. Smaller exporters, though, have been crushed by the 15 to 20 percent spike in prices over the last few days. And whatever gains have been won by the strength of the US dollar against the rupee have been eroded by cotton’s increasing cost.

Larger exporters protect themselves against the short and medium-term price volatility of cotton through hedging mechanisms. By purchasing cotton futures and options, they can make exports revenues more predictable. Another added benefit of hedging is increased flexibility for cotton-related transactions since futures can be sold even when there are no buyers in the physical market. Smaller exporters, however, rarely have access to these financial instruments.

And there seems to be no end in sight to the uptick in cotton prices. Disastrous harvests in both the US and China and increased global demand have generated what many see as a long term impact on not just cotton but apparel in general. According to Allen Terhaar, executive director of Cotton Council International: “The consumer should not expect to depend on deflation in clothing as we have seen for many years.”

He attributed the swelling demand for apparel to the rapid growth of the middle classes in India, China, and Brazil. Mr. Terhaar said, “The real generators of added demand are the emerging markets. Between now and 2025, we will have 20 million tons of added fiber demand, of which the US is expected to add just 0.5 million tons – whereas China and India are expected to add 14 to 15 million tons combined. This is through the combination of population and economic growth.”

The mounting costs of fuel and transportation, increased foreign competition, and the allure of low wage exporters in countries like Bangladesh have also squeezed smaller exporters in India.

Even some major retailers have experienced disappearing margins as the result of the bump in the cost of cotton. H&M attributed its 18 percent fall in pre-tax profit for the last fiscal quarter to ballooning cotton prices and wage inflation in Asia.

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Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/rising-cotton-prices-hurt-small-exporters

Saks Inc. to Sell for $2.4 Billion

Hudson’s Bay Company, parent of luxury retailer Lord and Taylor, plans to buy Saks for $16 a share, for a total deal of around $2.4 billion.

The purchase price is a 5 percent premium over the company’s Friday closing price of $15.31. Saks’ stock was up almost 4 percent Monday on the news.

The deal has not been approved by Saks’ shareholders, but, assuming they approve, should be concluded by the end of the year. Saks had sales of $3.2 billion in 2012, against sales of $4.1 billion for Hudson’s Bay.

The buyout will merge three big names in retail, featuring luxury, mid-tier, and outlet sectors. The company will have roughly 320 stores, including 179 department stores, 72 outlets, and 69 home stores in the U.S. and Canada. 

‘‘We are excited about what this opportunity and being part of a much larger enterprise can mean for the future of the Saks Fifth Avenue brand,’’ Saks Chairman and CEO Steve Sadove said in a statement.

Saks will continue to be run as a separate company, based in New York City, with its own merchandizing, marketing, and store operations.

Hudson’s Bay said that it plans to combine back office facilities and distribution centers to save around $100 million in annual operating costs. It will also look at possible options for the company’s real estate portfolio, which will include a long list of prime retail locations.

Saks Fifth Avenue is a destination store for travelers from around the world because of its sophisticated portfolio of international designers. In allowing management to stay on and not merging operations, Hudson’s Bay hopes to preserve the design base that has built the Saks brand.

The company now has a 40-day period to seek out third party bids, which could lead to a leveraged buyout. As a result of the risk of debt acquisition, Fitch Ratings placed Saks Inc. on “rating watch negative.” It expects to upgrade the rating once the Hudson’s Bay deal is completed.

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Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/saks-inc-to-sell-for-2-4-billion/

Venezuela Angrily Ends Talks With US To Restore Normal Relations

Apparently offended by a statement made by Samantha Powers, the UN ambassador-designate from the US, Venezuela will no longer talk with the US about restoring normal relations.

During recent confirmation hearings before the US Senate, Ms. Powers said that Venezuela is guilty of a “crackdown on civil society,” comparing it to other oppressive governments such as Cuba, Iran and Russia, criticizing the country’s human rights record. 

A statement from Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said the country felt compelled to halt discussions because of her remarks.

Before Venezuela’s refusal to talk further to the US, diplomatic discussions were being held in Guatemala between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua.

Read more for complete news on Sourcing Journal :

https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/venezuela-ends-talks-with-us-to-restore-normal-relations/

Apparel Powerhouse Launches New Contender For Best Base Layer

The Team that brought Polartec^® (fleece) to the world market place is now launching a new brand of high-performance base layer apparel. This new brand is poised to capture the attention of eco-conscious consumers across a broad spectrum, from outdoor enthusiasts to fashion-forward trend setters.

The Brand is called Komafram, which means ” To Bring Forward”, and its CEO is Danny Feuerstein. Komafram is in partnership with Ambassador Enterprises, a for-profit philanthropic equity firm committed to investing in leaders and the organizations they lead. Komafram aspires to the inspirational model of Danny’s father, Aaron Feuerstein, the former owner and CEO of Malden Mills Industries — and Founder of Komafram. In terms of corporate responsibility, Aaron has set a high standard of commitment to employees, and living by the mantra of doing the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons. Innovation, performance and style, combined with high ethical standards are what Komafram is all about. 

Komafram: Where Luxury Meets Performance

Komafram is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want apparel that aligns peak performance with superior comfort and style. Komafram feels better, wears better and looks better than other base layers—and it delivers an unprecedented performance. Its alpaca based fiber blends are generating lightweight, luxurious, and durable odor-free fabrics. In essence, Komafram combines an exceptionally soft, next-to-skin “feel”, with outstanding thermal regulation and moisture management. For every climate extreme, from desert heat to winter cold, Komafram offers exceptional performance.

For more detailed check Resource URL: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/press-release-apparel-powerhouse-launches-new-contender-for-best-base-layer/

A.B.S. Declines Renewal Offer from JCP | Textile Retail News

Embattled retailer JC Penney’s (JCP) already depressing week just got worse. After a welter of rumors the company is poised to seek another $1 billion loan to finance turnaround efforts, Allen B. Schwartz, founder of A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz, decided to pull his collection from JCP stores.

Schwartz explained, “I just don’t feel it’s the right opportunity. I’m refusing the renewal. I want to be more appreciated. I’ve done incredible work with them. I became uneasy and I’m not going to renew.”

A JCP spokesperson issued only this tersely worded statement: “We don’t comment on contract negotiations.”

Schwartz, however, was much more voluble when asked about the split that resulted from soured contract negotiations. He was sent a renewal offer following his attendance of a presentation given by JCP CEO Mike Ullman. “I listened carefully and I came back and they sent me my renewal. The terms were not acceptable. It wasn’t what it started out to be.”

According to Schwartz, JCP wanted him to shift his line from sportswear to dresses, a sudden redirection he found distressing. “I want to be consistent. Every season is something new. We’re staffing twenty-five people for a project like this and we just can’t flip a switch. I feel very relieved. The terms keep changing and you lose trust.”

CREDITS: Sourcing Journal

Source: https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/b-s-declines-renewal-offer-jcp

Bangladesh Factory Owners Push Back Against Reform | Textile Labor Issues

While the push for sweeping reforms of Bangladesh’s labor practices has been widely covered by the international press, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the resistance of factory owners.

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FTC Proposes Changes for Wool Product Labeling | Softgood Updates

The Federal Trade Commission has asked for public feedback on proposed changes to its Wool Products Labeling Rules as part of a systematic review that ensures all rules are up-to-date and effective…

[ Follow here for more updates from softgoods industry in souricng journal ]

China, Sri Lanka to Finalize FTA | Trade News

China and Sri Lanka will soon finalize a free trade deal, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo reported….

[.. Read complete story on textile trade news from sourcing journal..]

More Retailers Embracing Big Data | Retail News

If only stocking a store were as simple as sending buyers to Fashion Week and letting them check off the outfits they like best.
[..Read full story on textile world news on sourcing journal..]

Cash-Strapped Teens Bad News for Retail

Teen shoppers have become key target demographic for retailers, bad news since they have been disproportionately affected by general economic malaise. Experts are worried that sluggish back-to-school sales augur poor performance not just by the retail sector, but the global economy at large.

[ Check complete story on textile retail news @ sourcing journal ]

H&M Sales Surge

Swimming against the current of economic torpor, Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) reported that its sales leapt an impressive 12 percent, or $5.7 billion, in the third quarter. Same store sales for the Swedish retailer rose 4 percent in August, after losing 1 percent in July. Total revenues have climbed 14 percent. H&M plans to release.

[ Read complete H&M news from Sourcing Journal ] 

Are Regional Trade Pacts Rewriting the Rules of Business?

The map of world trade is being hurriedly redrawn by a bevy of massive regional trade agreements, potentially redefining the rules that govern international commerce. The causes of these tectonic shifts are now many.

[ ... Get complete story on recent textile trade news from Sourcing Journal.. ] 

Factory Roles Get Messy in New Sourcing Landscape

Factories have evolved to take a new, higher profile role in the apparel sourcing chain, but the rising tide has not necessarily lifted all the boats. As the traditional apparel sourcing model has evolved, industry experts say that the paradigm has been splintered into a host of complex new models tailored to meet individual company needs.

[ Full article on apparel news @ Sourcing Journal ]

Bangladesh Minister Calls for Lower Interest Rates

If Bangladesh is to remain competitive in the global textiles market, they’ll have to get their current bank interest rate down from over 18 percent. 
[ Read complete story on Bangladesh textile news @ Sourcing Journal ]

Online Apparel Sales Booming

While some major brick-and-mortar retailers post weak sales of apparel, online sales of clothing and footwear has continued its upward trend this year. Read full story from Sourcing Journal.

https://www.sourcingjournalonline.com/online-apparel-sales-booming/

Retail Earnings Dropped.

The second quarter results have been poor, with Wal-Mart, Nordstrom Inc., and Macy’s all are forced to slash their annual revenue projections.

[..Complete story @sourcingjournal...]

US Seek to Buy Philippines Garments

As the international economy is recovering  slowly from recession, the American economy follows suit, the US has stepped up & move forward to buy garments from that Philippines again. 

[...Full article on textile news @sourcingjournal..]

Consumer Products & Retail Insights : AT Kearney Study Report

In the past few years, however, the industry has been thrown two lifelines: the price hit will last more than a year, and 60 percent say they should increase

[...For complete story on AT Kearney study report...]

China is Next Sourcing Destination: Li & Fung

China is the key country for any company whether an importer, or a retailer.  Sourcing giant is seriously working on lessen China's mounting labor costs by moving to other parts of the country. 

[..Complete story on textile news @sourcingjournal...]

Apparel industry needs Transformation

The regulations in the textile industry sometimes create obstacles to gain profit, rather than mobilizing it. Both the small and large nations are adopting more rigorous standards to have a competitive edge in the industry.

[..Read full story @sourcingjournal...]

Major Apparel Retailer are In Search of Manufacturers in Bangladesh

Major apparel giants get their goods manufactured in developing nations mainly from Bangladesh. However, many of these retailers are clueless about factories that manufacture their goods. This is due to the sub-contracting practices that are prevalent in that country from past few years.

Claim Token: 3E7GR7YTDXYV

...[Read more apparel news @sourcingjournal].... 

Textile Industry Interesting Facts from WTR

For past 3 decades, international trade has grown with a remarkable pace, as per the 2013 World Trade Report. 

....Get full story on textile news from live journal....

Retailers Enrich Consumer Experience With QR Codes

Retailers enrich consumer experience with QR codes.  The funky black and white squares posted in store windows may look like optical illusions to few people. 

 ...Read more apparel news from sourcing journal....

Textile Workers Strike in Turkey

There are as many as 12,000 textile workers in Turkey came together and mobilized in severe protest over inadequate wages & came into the streets with angry slogans. The strike is organized by several textile unions Teksif, Oz Iplik-Is and Teksil.  ...Read Complete Story @sourcingjournalonline....

Winning China's Apparel Market

China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan, Honduras, and Cambodia had impact upto 75 to 80 percent of imported to United States.

..Read full article on china apparel news...

Metric System to be Change in UAE Textile Sector

The United Arab Emirates is about to change its metric system for its textile sector from next year. Emirates Authority of Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) developed the new regulations to convert units of measurement of metric system instead of yards. 

...Read full story @sourcing journal....

Bangladesh Workers Still At Risk

Even after the inspections of Bangladesh factories in the wake of the Rana Plaza collapse, nearly three million workers are at risk. The $20 billion dollar garment industry of Bangladesh is facing criticisms from the global textile industry.

....Read more on textile news updates.....