Retail shops realized the potential of the textile industry a long time back. A number of apparel retail shops cropped up all over the world. H & M, Marks and Spencer, Calvin and Klein, Gap, C& A, Walmart, Zara, Mango, and others are the biggies of this industry! We try our best to tell you newest activities of these retailers around the globe. All concerned are requested to send related news to me, farhan@textiletoday.com.bd.
China Continues to Lose U.S. Apparel Import Share to Vietnam and Bangladesh
Apparel imports from Vietnam and Bangladesh have grown at double-digit rates in 2013, allowing the two countries to widen their share gains in U.S. apparel from both China and the CAFTA-DR countries. Vietnam now commands more than 10% share. Vietnam’s share of U.S. apparel imports has increased by 0.8 percentage points compared to the first seven months of 2012. Apparel imports from Vietnam totaled more than $800 million in July, and have grown 4 times faster than those from China so far this year, though the total dollar volume is less than one-third the size. Compared to the first seven months of last year, China has lost 0.4 percentage points of U.S. apparel import share.
Despite all the issues with safety and infrastructure, Bangladesh came roaring back in July 2013, when it exported $500 million worth of apparel to the U.S., and has gained more than 0.3 points of US apparel market share in the first seven months of 2013, to 6.7% of total apparel imports. It is now the fourth largest source of US apparel, and may soon rival Indonesia for the number three spot.
Hennes & Mauritz had a better business in December 2013
Swedish internationally operating H& M clothier reports 10 % higher Group sales, including VAT and in local currencies, in December 2013. Sales Adjusted for calendar effects increased by just above 12 % and the total number of stores amounted at the end of December to 3176 (2809). They will publish the full year report 2012/13 on January 30, 2014
Walmart predicts It Will catch Up to Amazon within two years
Walmart CEO of global e-commerce Neil Ashe predicted that his giant retail firm will match Amazon’s online services and offerings within two years. His optimistic forecast was quoted in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) conducted at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. With Amazon and Walmart among those joining the fray, some are predicting 2014 will be the breakout year for online grocery. The big story last year was Amazon fresh's rollout to San Francisco and Los Angeles after its long Seattle test. Walmart to go is now available in several cities, adding Denver in 2014. Peapod, Fresh Direct and Safeway are among the e-grocery veterans. In a study last fall, consultancy brick meets click predicted online grocery shopping would expand to 11 percent of U.S. grocery spending by 2023, up from a current 3.3 percent. Penetration is expected to approach 17 percent in markets where there are several ways to buy groceries online.
Obama refuses to limit military apparel buying to retailers which signed Bangladesh Accord
Discussions about U.S. retail sales often overlook one major buyer of apparel, the military. Under the radar of most news outlets, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, but omitted a codicil that would have required military clothing to be purchased only from retail stores that have signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. A small group of congressional Democrats had been pushing for the inclusion of the amendment. There are two competing consortia of retailers who outsource apparel production to factories in Bangladesh that have been created to supervise desperately needed reforms and finance expensive factory improvements. The E.U. led Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (AFBSB) plans to inspect the approximately 1,000 factories that directly supply them with garments. There is also a U.S.-brokered Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety that covers another 500. The troop of Democrats have been specifically advocating for the agreement assembled by the E.U.
China still dominates the world cotton market
ICAC the International Cotton Advisory Committee released its newest estimates for the world cotton market. The cotton plantings for 2014-15 will start in a few months in the northern hemisphere and is accounting for about 90 % of the world production. The planted area is expected to decline due to the expected decline in China. In the season 2013-14 the ICAC Secretariat estimates that China’s cotton area is 4.6 million ha, a decrease of 8 % against the previous season and a further decline to 3.9 ha for the season 2014-15. Worldwide cotton trade is expected to decline in 2014-15 by 9 % to 7.7 million t, due to the continuing decline of China’s imports. Also it is expected that China’s production will be lower, its consumption is also declining and its government currently holds enough stock for one-and-a-half years without any further imports or production
Wal-Mart sets up new company in India
Global retail giant Wal-Mart has registered a new company in India as it prepares to enter the country's lucrative multibrand retail market with a new partner. The American retail major and Bharti Enterprises decided to part ways in October last year, bringing an end to their six-year long partnership. The retailer has registered a new company called 'Wal-Mart India Private Ltd' in the country, according to the data available with the ministry of corporate affairs.
JCPenney releases 2013 sustainability report
JCPenney announced that it has released its 2013 Sustainability Report, detailing activities in fiscal year 2012, which ended in 2013. The report highlights strategic initiatives to reduce the Company's environmental impact and encourage positive social change. The online report summarizes the company's activity in the categories ofStores and Operations, Supplier Social and Environmental Standards, Product Safety, Ethics, Employment and Community. JCPenney has a clear focus on operational efficiency, utilizing programs to manage energy consumption, reduce waste and encourage recycling across all approximately 1,100 stores and 14 logistics facilities. Through the company's energy conservation efforts, JCPenney has received ENERGY STAR certification in over 500 locations and earned the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for five consecutive years.
H& M launches denim line made from used llothing
Swedish retailer’s first big eco-friendly move of 2014, it’s announced the launch of a new denim line, set to hit stores at the end of February, in which every piece is made from recycled fibers. There are jeans, vests and jackets in a variety of washes, and each item contains 20 percent recycled cotton, which is the maximum amount that can be used today when making new fabric without compromising the quality. There’s the ongoing Conscious Collection, which launched in 2011, as well as big announcements, like that it was going to start paying factory workers a living wage, and disclosing the names of its supplier factories in an effort to be more transparent.The retailer says it’s collected an impressive 7.7 million pounds of used clothing. H& M also says it donates 0,02 Euro (three cents) for every kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of clothing donated, according to its international charity site.
Tesco rumored to be eyeing takeover of Mothercare
The Sunday Times is reporting that U.K. retailer Tesco has set its sights on acquiring Mothercare, a clothing chain that caters to women and their children. Apparently, Tesco has been assessing the possibility of the acquisition for more than six months. A move would bolster Tesco’s plan to turn its out-of-town shops into destinations, this has seen the nation’s biggest grocer buy the Giraffe restaurant chain and take a major investment in the start-up Harris plus Hoole coffee business. City sources say Tesco is eyeing up Mothercare after shares took a tumble following a shock profits warning, according to the report. It claims that Tesco had already examined a bid six months ago. Baby and childrens specialist Mothercare has 231 stores in the UK, including its Early Learning Centre brand, and blamed the 'highly promotional' nature of the Christmas period and lower seasonal footfall for a large drop in sales.
.
JCP “pleased” with holiday sales; investors skeptical
Investors were confused by a recent announcement from slumping retailer J.C. Penney (JCP) that it was “pleased” with its holiday performance. But JCP neglected to expound upon what precisely this means, choosing not to disclose any further details. In a terse note, Penney simply said it was “pleased” with its holiday performance and that customers “responded well” to its product offerings. Shares of Penney fell close to 7% to $7.63 in early trade, pushing them down 60% over the last 12 months. The Plano, Texas-based department store, which has been trying to prove its progress to skeptical investors, said it continues to anticipate year-over-year gains in same-store sales and a decline in selling, general and administrative expenses.
