Leonie Barrie's apparel and textile industry blog - from just-style.comLeonie Barrie's apparel and textile industry blog - from just-style.comPrimark reacts to TV onslaught- June 16, 2008 Bargain fashion firm Primark has been forced onto the ethical offensive in reaction to recent UK television documentaries about cheap labour. The retailer's ethics came to a head today when it ended business with three Indian suppliers following a company investigation arising from BBC findings. Primark's investigation found that the factories had sub-contracted embroidery and sequin work on a small number of designs to unapproved sub-contractors, which involved home working and instances of...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1462 Jones gets upscale break- June 13, 2008 The market seemed to like yesterday's news that Jones Apparel Group Inc has formed a joint venture to develop the Rachel Roy Fashion Brand. Shares rose as the apparel maker said it had finally found a long-awaited entry into the high-end contemporary market. Upscale lines seems to be the way forward - also this week we saw VF Corp buy into Mo Industries, owner of the Splendid and Ella Moss women's sportswear brands to complement its fast-growing 7 For All Mankind and Lucy brands. And the deal...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1461 Swimming into controversy- June 13, 2008 I wonder if the swimming competitions at this year's Olympics will be half as entertaining as the contest to come up with new swimwear designs to beat Speedo's LZR Racer First there was the debate over whether technology has too much influence over the sport after a spate of records were broken by swimmers in the LZR. Then last month American manufacturer TYR Sport sued Speedo for stifling competition. And most recently, Japanese swimmers have been given the go-ahead to wear the LZR Racer at...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1460 Inditex inches ahead- June 11, 2008 Signs that consumers across western Europe are tightening their belts were seen today in a slowdown in sales and profit growth at Spanish retail giant Inditex. Yes its first quarter profits rose 10% to EUR219m and sales were up 9% to EUR2.218bn, but its previously invincible Zara fashion chain was weighed down by a slowdown in the Spanish retail boom, tighter credit conditions and unseasonably cold weather which hurt sales of summer clothing. The retailer, which also operates the Bershka,...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1459 Mulesing madness- June 10, 2008 Although it has been rumbling on for around a decade, the campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for a boycott on the use of wool from mulesed sheep has really accelerated in the last year. And with fashion firms such as Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss, Timberland, Hennes & Mauritz, Perry Ellis and Victoria's Secret all pledging to stop incorporating such wool in their garments, the Australian wool industry is hurting. Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1458 Bad news for Goody's- June 9, 2008 A statement today from Paul White, the CEO of Goody's Family Clothing, suggests the retailer will emerge "stronger and healthier" from its bankruptcy filing. The question on many lips, though, is whether it can actually find a way to survive at all. By its own admission, the firm has been dragged down by tightening credit markets, a strain on merchandise flow, and a sizable but isolated number of underperforming stores in the chain. Some media reports also suggest most of its suppliers have...http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1457 May results get a tax break- June 5, 2008 After a succession of dismal months on the results front, May's performance by US retailers largely seems to have come in ahead of expectations. But the reasons are likely to be short-lived - the main boost having come from tax rebate cheques - and a focus on necessities like food and fuel is likely to take centre stage again in June. It's also worth remembering that the better-than-expected results this month are coming against weak estimates. There are also signs that consumers continue..http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1456 Retail boom in Brazil- June 3, 2008 More confirmation today that the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) are open to an avalanche of new merchandise from organised international retailers. A new study by management consultant AT Kearney ranks Brazil ahead of China, India and Russia as the top new market for apparel firms - although these countries all make it into the retail top 10. What sets Brazil apart from the others, though, is its high spending on apparel items and strong clothing imports -.http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1455 Yves Saint Laurent- June 2, 2008 A wonderful appreciation of Yves Saint Laurent, 'the designer who redefined women's wear' who passed away yesterday, by Suzy Menkes in today's International Herald Tribune.http://www.just-style.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1454 |