AAFA Takes Legal Action over California’s Textile EPR Rollout
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has filed a legal challenge against California's CalRecycle over the selection of a producer‑responsibility organization (PRO) for the state’s inaugural textile extended producer responsibility (EPR) law. AAFA contends the chosen PRO fails to meet any of the four statutory criteria the association helped embed, including producer‑formed governance, a diverse board, 501(c)(3) status, and strong financial controls. The association argues that a compliant PRO is essential for directing investment into reuse, repair, and recycling infrastructure. AAFA describes the lawsuit as a last‑resort effort to protect the industry’s circular transition.
Levi Strauss & Co. Raises FY26 Guidance on Strong Q1
Levi Strauss & Co. lifted its full‑year 2026 outlook after reporting a 14% rise in first‑quarter net revenue, the strongest growth in years. The boost came from broad-based gains across multiple regions, retail channels and product categories, including denim and...
Tunisia Garment Subcontracting Crackdown Could Hit Export Appeal
Tunisia’s textile and garment sector, which supplies roughly 30% of the country’s export earnings and employs over 200,000 workers, is facing a new labour reform that bans most subcontracting arrangements. The law, passed in May 2025, aims to improve job...
Carbios Adjusts Longlaville Facility Launch Plans
Carbios is moving forward with its Longlaville chemical‑recycling plant, which will handle 50,000 tonnes of post‑consumer PET waste each year. The project’s €230 million (~$251 million) construction budget is anchored by €42.5 million ($49 million) of public funds, with the remainder expected from debt, French...
Sulzer Joins Spinnova Ecosystem to Support Textile Fibre Availability
Swiss engineering firm Sulzer has entered a co‑development agreement with Finnish textile innovator Spinnova to accelerate the commercial scale‑up of Spinnova’s sustainable fiber technology. Sulzer will provide expertise in pumping, mixing and fiber suspension flows, aiming to make the production...
Garment Worker Wellbeing Central in Seoul Roundtable Discussions
At a Seoul roundtable hosted by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries, Christine Svarer highlighted the urgent need to shift garment‑sector labor practices toward worker wellbeing. She emphasized that low pay, long hours and gender inequities are undermining supply‑chain performance,...
Half of UK Shoppers Want Laws to Stop Ultra-Cheap Goods Flooding the Market
Research from the Retail Technology Show shows that 54% of UK shoppers want the government to tighten the de‑minimis threshold to curb ultra‑cheap imports, with support rising to 68% among Gen Z. Last year, 45% of UK consumers bought from low‑price...
India, Vietnam, Cambodia Rise as Apparel Hubs Amid Trade Protectionism
TradeBeyond’s 2026 Retail Sourcing report flags rising trade protectionism, especially U.S. tariffs, as a key driver reshaping global apparel supply chains. Manufacturers in India, Vietnam and Cambodia are gaining market share as brands seek alternatives to China. India posted a...
Shein Customers Prioritise Price, Fit and Comfort, Survey Finds
Shein’s 2025 Global Circularity Study surveyed 15,461 shoppers aged 18‑44 across 21 markets, revealing that price, size availability and personal style dominate purchase decisions, with 71.6% always considering cost. Most respondents buy fewer than 30 items annually, yet they wear...
Gap Adopts AI Technologies for ‘Simpler’ Online Shopping Experience
Gap is deploying two AI solutions to streamline its online shopping experience. The retailer will use Bold Metrics’ Agent Sizing Protocol to deliver personalized fit recommendations and Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol to enable conversational, one‑click purchases. Gap says the AI...
Reju Awarded €135m to Scale Textile-to-Textile Regeneration Hub
Reju has secured a €135 million (≈$147 million) grant from the Dutch Government to build an industrial‑scale textile regeneration hub at Chemelot Industrial Park. The facility will depolymerise post‑consumer fabrics into Reju Polyester, cutting carbon emissions by roughly 50 % compared with virgin...
Report Highlights Growing Demand for Family-Friendly Factory Policies
The Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) announced it has surpassed its three‑year expansion goal, extending family‑friendly initiatives to 63 factories worldwide. By the end of 2025, the program supports 34,212 children of factory workers, reflecting rising demand for such policies....
NAFFIC, AWARE Claim First China-EU DPP for Textiles
Mandatory digital product passports (DPPs) will be required for all textile products sold in the EU from 2027, and NAFFIC and AWARE have launched the first China‑EU compliant DPP for a recycled‑polyester garment. The passport records every step—from post‑consumer plastic...
Gartex Texprocess India to Showcase Innovations Across Textile Ecosystem
Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai will host more than 125 companies, showcasing over 500 products from 300 brands across the apparel and textile value chain. The trade fair, co‑organized by Messe Frankfurt and MEX Exhibitions, will feature garment machinery, digital printing,...
Supply Chain Innovation, Sustainability to Take Centre Stage at Fashion SVP
Fashion SVP 2026, scheduled for April 28‑29, will spotlight supply‑chain innovation, sustainability and artificial intelligence under its "Future of Sourcing" theme. The curated exhibitor roster spans Turkey, Portugal, the UK and the Far East, and introduces a new Leather Pavilion...
Sri Lanka Apparel Sector Exports Fall on Global Demand Decline
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports slipped 6.91% in January‑February 2026, with the EU market leading the decline at 19.48%. Shipments to the US and UK fell more modestly, while regional peers such as Bangladesh experienced a 25.25% drop in EU shipments....
Consumer Outlook on UK Economy Falls to Two-Year Low
BRC‑Opinium data released in early March shows UK consumer confidence plunging to –53, the lowest reading since the index began in 2024 and a sharp decline from –30 in February. While retail spending ticked up modestly (+2 points), personal financial...
The Emerging Apparel Brands on GlobalData’s Radar
GlobalData’s latest report spotlights six emerging apparel brands that are gaining momentum in the second half of 2025. The selected companies differentiate themselves through distinct positioning, ranging from sustainability‑focused collections to tech‑enabled retail experiences. Their early market traction suggests they...
China Scales Shoucell to Step up Race for Sustainable Cellulose
China has begun commercial production of Shoucell, a next‑generation regenerated cellulose fiber aimed at reducing textile pollution. The fiber employs a closed‑loop process that lowers water consumption and chemical waste compared with traditional viscose. Shoucell’s launch dovetails with Beijing’s green...
DeSL, TSG Partner to Enhance Digital Supply Chain for Textiles
DeSL has entered a strategic agreement with Textile Solutions Group (TSG) to broaden its AI‑driven product lifecycle management (PLM) platform across the global textile and apparel market. The partnership will integrate DeSL’s SaaS PLM suite with TSG’s manufacturing and execution...
C-Life Group to Expand Prince’s Apparel Lines in North America
Prince, the historic racquet‑sports brand, has partnered with New York‑based C‑Life Group to relaunch its apparel line across North America. The collaboration will cover men’s, women’s and children’s sportswear, activewear, outerwear and swimwear, with the first collection slated for a...
Lycra Enters Restructuring Agreement to Reduce $1.2bn Debt
The Lycra Company has filed a voluntary pre‑packaged Chapter 11 case in Texas to restructure its balance sheet and reduce approximately $1.2 billion of debt. The plan, backed by senior secured lenders, includes $75 million of debtor‑in‑possession financing and a similar amount of...
USTR Investigates 60 Economies over Forced Labour Enforcement
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has opened Section 301 investigations into forced‑labour practices in roughly 60 economies, including China, the EU, India, Japan and others. The probes will assess whether these countries’ measures are unreasonable, discriminatory, or burden U.S. commerce. USTR...
Circ Expands Network of Manufacturing Partners with New Partnership
Circ announced a partnership with Xinxiang Bailu Chemical Fiber, the world’s largest viscose filament producer, to purchase its recycled pulp for commercial‑grade viscose. The deal embeds Circ’s circular‑textile technology within China’s massive manufacturing ecosystem, giving global fashion brands a sustainable...
Accelerating Circularity Hires Edd Denes as CEO
Accelerating Circularity has appointed Edd Denes as its new chief executive. Denes, who served as board treasurer since 2021, brings over two decades of experience in financial services, technology transformation, and international operations. His background in managing multi‑million‑dollar portfolios and...
New Balance Adds Apparel to Its Resale Platform Reconsidered
New Balance is extending its Reconsidered resale platform, originally launched two years ago, to include apparel alongside its already‑circulated 100,000 pairs of shoes. The service refurbishes returned items and sells them through a dedicated site, while consumers can trade in...
John Lewis FY Sales Rise 3% as Omnichannel Strategy Drives Engagement
John Lewis reported a 3% rise in FY 2025/26 sales, reaching £4.9 bn ($6.6 bn). The growth is attributed to its customer‑focused omnichannel strategy, which blends online and physical store experiences. Ongoing investment in store upgrades underpins the strategy, aiming to boost...
Brits Rethink Fashion Purchases as ‘Investment Wardrobes’ Gain Traction
UK shoppers are increasingly evaluating clothing on a cost‑per‑wear basis, with 70 % of adults and 79 % of 25‑34‑year‑olds prioritizing long‑term value over price. The trend, described as “investment wardrobes,” is driven by sustainability concerns and a desire for durable pieces....
Is A New Global Apparel Industry Emerging?
Robert Antoshak argues that a new global apparel ecosystem is forming as manufacturers scramble to bypass volatile tariff regimes. Companies are reshoring, leveraging digital cut‑and‑sew platforms, and adopting sustainable fibers to meet shifting consumer expectations. Trade policy volatility is prompting...
Global Cotton Supply Forecast to Tighten Next Season
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) projects global cotton production to fall to 24.8 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, while consumption is expected to hold steady at 25.0 million tonnes. Lower prices, shifting planting intentions in major producers and weaker demand,...
Worldly Appoints Former Walmart Exec to Lead Social Risk Strategy
Worldly has appointed Kathryn Smith, a former senior director of responsible sourcing at Walmart, as Vice President of Human Rights Risk Solutions. Smith will oversee the company’s social‑compliance portfolio, including the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module and new tools...
Aii Launches Benchmarking Tool to Accelerate Fashion Decarbonisation
Aii has launched a new Benchmarking tool that quantifies process‑level energy use and emissions across apparel factories. The tool provides independent data on energy sources, material types, and processes, allowing factories to compare performance across regions and over time. Early...
Türkiye’s Textile Exports Hold Firm Despite Global Headwinds
Turkey’s textile and raw material exports generated $11.4 bn in 2025. This represents a modest 0.8 % decline from 2024, the smallest dip in a decade. The Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (İTHİB) attributes the performance to resilient demand and...
Haelixa Appoints Infinited Fiber Founder Petri Alava to Board
Swiss traceability firm Haelixa has appointed Petri Alava, founder of Infinited Fiber, to its board to accelerate growth in DNA‑based supply‑chain verification. Alava previously led Infinited Fiber through a decade of development, securing more than €100 million in funding and €200 million...
Week in Review: Mango’s Logistics Centre Shows Where Fashion’s Real Scale Lies
Mango has unveiled a massive, highly automated logistics centre that spans roughly the size of 40 football pitches and can hold up to 7 million hanging garments. The hub centralises distribution for the brand, using conveyors, robotics and AI‑driven inventory systems...
CHIC Shanghai 2026 Expects over 160,000 Visitors in Spring
CHIC Shanghai Spring 2026 is set to attract more than 160,000 visitors, occupying 117,200 sq m at the National Exhibition & Convention Center. The fair will host 1,091 exhibitors representing 1,135 brands from eight countries, including major retail platforms JD.com, Douyin and...
Gap FY25 Net Sales at High End of Guidance as Margins Slip
Gap reported FY25 net sales of $15.4 billion, hitting the upper bound of its guidance. Store sales rose modestly, up 1% year‑over‑year, indicating a gradual recovery in its core retail operations. However, the company’s margins slipped, raising concerns about profitability. Analysts...
Aerie, OFFLINE Drive Record Quarter for AEO’s Growth
American Eagle Outfitters reported a record fourth quarter for FY25, posting $1.8 bn in net revenue, a 10% year‑over‑year increase. Comparable sales rose 8%, driven by a 23% surge at Aerie and double‑digit gains at the OFFLINE brand, while the core...
Vivobarefoot Unveils Sustainable Rewards Programme
Vivobarefoot launched VivoRewards, a sustainability‑focused loyalty scheme powered by Antavo’s AI Loyalty Cloud. Members earn 50‑200 points for actions ranging from profile completion and product reviews to shoe purchases, repairs, recycling, foot scans, and health courses. The program aims to...
US Apparel Import Data in 2025 Points to Four Key Sourcing Trends
U.S. apparel imports in 2025 show the category’s share of consumer spending slipping to 2.08%, down from 2.10% in 2023 and 2.23% in 2021. The decline signals a reshaping of sourcing strategies, with analysts highlighting four emerging trends: accelerated nearshoring...
Adidas Attributes 2025 Sales, Profit Surge to ‘Strategic Discipline’
Adidas reported a robust sales surge in 2025, propelling net profit up 67 percent. The company credited the growth to heightened consumer demand across its footwear and apparel ranges. Executives highlighted a renewed focus on "strategic discipline," encompassing tighter cost...
The Children’s Place Expands Sourcing Chief’s Remit in Turnaround Push
The Children’s Place has broadened SVP Kristin Clifford’s responsibilities to include product operations, international and technical design, alongside her existing sourcing duties, effective February 24, 2026. The reshuffle also adds Kim Roy as executive director overseeing design, merchandising, planning and...
Textile Exchange Unveils Three-Step Pathway for Action Cohort Members
Textile Exchange launched a three‑step Action Cohort pathway to accelerate responsible raw material production. Step one introduces voluntary data reporting in 2026, becoming mandatory for brands and retailers in 2027; step two pushes members to source more from verified preferred...
Authentic Brands, IAC Partner to Expand Dockers Across Americas
Authentic Brands Group and IAC have signed an agreement to expand Dockers apparel across Central America, the Andean region, Ecuador, and select Caribbean markets. IAC will manage manufacturing and distribution for men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel and accessories. The partnership...
Texas AG Sues Shein over Toxic Newborn Garments and Data Risks
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a second lawsuit in three months against Shein US Services, accusing the fast‑fashion giant of selling newborn garments containing hazardous chemicals and mishandling minors' personal data. The complaint seeks an injunction, consumer restitution, and...
NShift Pushes for Integrated Returns Ahead of New EU Regulations
nShift warns EU and UK retailers that the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), effective July 2026, will ban the destruction of returned clothing, footwear and accessories. The firm recommends integrating returns with logistics, warehousing and backend systems to...
Indonesia Weighs State-Led Revamp to Rescue Ailing Textile Sector
Indonesia is preparing a state‑backed overhaul of its textile and clothing industry, aiming to tighten integration across the supply chain. The sector, which employs roughly 3.75 million workers, has faced slowing growth, rising imports and eroding competitiveness over several years. Policymakers...
Fashion Players Issued Warning as Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs Go Live
The United States has activated a 10% tariff on all imported fashion goods, marking the first phase of former President Trump’s global levy program. Industry analysts warn that a further increase to 15% is possible, intensifying cost pressures across the...
Study Finds $796bn Total Retail Loss for Retailers in 2025
Appriss Retail’s 2026 Total Retail Loss Benchmark Report reveals a staggering $796 bn loss for retailers in 2025, driven primarily by merchandise returns and shrinkage. Returns alone accounted for $706 bn, with $100 bn classified as preventable fraud and abuse. Shrinkage contributed an...
New Data Shows Mid-Market Fashion Outpacing Luxury in Sector Growth
Lectra’s Retviews data shows mid‑market fashion brands raised prices up to 50% in Europe for FW25 and doubled them in the US, overtaking luxury as the sector’s growth engine. Price gains span denim, winter footwear, coats, jackets, handbags and accessories,...
