At the beginning of 2022, across the world few brands were surpassing their pre-Covid performances. They benefited from a burst of pent-up consumer demand that was expected to continue. But the Ukraine War, cost-of-living crisis and ongoing supply chain issues has eroded this optimism somewhat. Next year will likely be a continuation of what the fashion industry faced in the second half of 2022.

Challenging and unpredictable are the words most-frequently used. Fashion players are looking for clues about which direction consumer spending will head in the few months. But given the unpredictability and fragility in which the industry is operating, many will hold off drawing firm conclusions.Knowing now how fragile recoveries can be, any glimmer of hope may be fleeting, given the array of challenges that economies continue to face.

Inflation hits the Western economies

Though there are fleeting indications of a month on month recovery in consumer sentiment in the EU, confidence levels are still well below the long-term average.In the US, consumer confidence fell in October 2022 after two consecutive months of gains. November’s numbers may provide insight into whether the Federal Reserve will start easing the interest rate increases aimed at taming inflation.For months now, rising prices have cast a shadow over the fashion industry, seriously impacting consumer behavior, particularly among lower-income shoppers when it comes to spending on discretionary items, such as on apparel and footwear.

Increasing cost of living has long been one of the most feared phenomena in Western countries and now this fear has come true. In 2022, Europe, UK and other areas which had not experienced major inflationary for four decades registered record levels of inflation.

American imports of suits from January 2022 to September 2022 grew by 105 per cent.

Of total suit imports, US imports from China grew by 158 per cent year on year. Suit imports from Vietnam and Indonesia grew by 148 per cent and 216 per cent. Suit imports from India grew by 93 per cent. And imports from Bangladesh grew by 142 per cent.

All through the pandemic and afterwards, suit was the product category that took most of the beating in apparel markets as people were staying at home and weren’t spending much on formalwear.However, the situation isn’t gloomy anymore for suit manufacturers. Bangladesh has ventured into suits and blazers. The country has been exporting winter wear to the developed world for around 30 years. Eighty per cent of the products made by the country's export-oriented apparel factories were for long limited to some traditional items like blankets and sweaters generally made of cotton.

Germany tops the countries that import large volumes of winter clothes from Bangladesh. Others are Europe, the US and Australia.Suits and blazers occupy a major slot in this list. They are viewed by manufacturers as highly promising value-added products. Apart from the traditional readymade garment sector, specialised tailoring houses are now engaged in making suits and blazers for export destinations.

The global high-performance textile market is growing at nine per cent a year.

Growth in the global high-performance textile market is expected to be driven by increasing demand for advanced textiles offering excellent combinations of quality, functionality and physical properties for innovative and diversified high-tech applications to cater to various end users and consumers.

New trends such as 3D technology in high-performance textiles, increasing demand for premium cars and adoption of safety features in the automotive industry, new product developments in protective clothing and increasing awareness about sustainability are further expected to provide opportunities for the market to grow in the coming years.

Advances in high-performance textiles in the sports industry, technological advances in the manufacturing of high-performance textiles and the growing demand for high-performance textiles in aerospace and defense are the demand drivers for the global high-performance textile market.

However, the high cost of production and scarcity of skilled labour are some key restraining factors for the market.Performance Textiles, Toray Industries, High-Performance Textiles GmbH, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc, Baltex , DuPont, Freudenberg Performance Materials, Hexcel Corporation, High Performance Textiles are some of the leading players in this segment, who are coming out with innovative products that are a smart blend of fashion and functionality.

The global sportswear market is growing by six per cent a year. The rising demand for comfortable yet stylish apparel is driving the sports wearables market growth.

During the lockdown, consumption has increased even more. Besides, its use while playing sports and exercising, this comfortable apparel can be worn at and off home. Demand for joggers, hoodies, and sneakers has increased in large numbers and varieties by adults and children. The footwear segment holds a market share of 33 per cent. This is attributable to increased sports activities worldwide and growing awareness about various fitness programs.

Women’s involvement in sports such as basketball, football, athletics has increased over the years. This is expected to drive the sportswear market growth in upcoming years.

North America holds the highest global sportswear market share. This is because of the thriving recreational industry in the region. The US recreational sector revenue accounts for two per cent of its GDP. Additionally, the number of students inclined towards sport is rising.Asia Pacific too is expected to experience significant growth. Major sportswear companies are striving to maintain their position by focusing on facility expansion and acquisition.

Key players are adopting proactive strategies such as partnerships, mergers, and collaborations to favor the market’s growth in the upcoming years.

Cambodia’s apparel exports in the first ten months of 2022 rose by 18 percent. Exports of apparel and clothing accessories (knitted) earnings surged 16 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. Exports of apparel and clothing accessories (not knitted) increased by 25 percent.

Export figures of October 2022 slumped due to sluggish demand from the global markets. Exports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories dropped 24 per cent in October 2022 from the same period in the previous year. Shipment of non-knitted apparel fell four per cent in October 2022. On the other hand, Cambodia’s knitted or crocheted fabric imports during January 2022 to October 2022 were four per cent higher than imports in the same period last year.

Similarly, manmade fiber imports rose by 12 per cent from January 2022 to October 2022 when compared with January 2021 to October 2021. Cotton imports fell one per cent. The US is Cambodia’s largest export market, accounting for over 40 percent of Cambodia’s total exports. Apparel, footwear, and travel goods make up most of US imports from Cambodia and employ over one million Cambodians, mostly women.

Top US exports to Cambodia include vehicles, animal feed and digital services.

Indian apparel exporters are having a presence at International Apparel and Textile Fair, Dubai, November 28 to 30, 2022.

The aim is to showcase the best of India’s apparel designs and styles in line with the latest fashion trends in a wide range of traditional cotton and manmade fiber garments. Indian exhibitors are displaying organic, sustainable products, men’s andwomen’s sweatshirts, pants, night suits, blouses, jerseys, pullovers, men’s and boys’ trousers, women’s dresses, skirts, trousers, leggings, petticoats, loungewear, active wear, wind jackets, bras, baby garments and clothing accessories, shawls, scarves, mufflers, recyclable and ethnic garments.

The fair opens huge business opportunities for UAE clothing brands to source from India considering the strengths of the Indian garment industry in terms of the variety of raw material availability right from cotton, jute, silk, viscose, nylon, acrylic with abundant in house production. India is the second largest supplier of readymade garments to the UAE just after China. The UAE has traditionally been the topmost trading partner for Indian garment exports.

With the signing of the UAE-India CEPA agreement giving duty free access to Indian garment exports this share is expected to increase further. After having established itself in traditional garments, the Indian apparel industry has now moved on to diversifying itself into newer areas of manmade fiber garments.

Cotton production in India is either declining or stagnant. So says the RBI. Production in Andhra Pradesh declined from 2.508 million bales to 1.6 million bales in fiscal 2020-21. Production has increased in Rajasthan and Maharashtra.Gujarat’s cotton production has declined from 8.617 million bales to 7.212 million bales.India’s total cotton exports were estimated at four million bales in fiscal year 2022.

India’s cotton exports account for ten per cent of the total global export. In fiscal year 2021, India’s cotton exports were worth $6.3 billion, with production hitting 352.5 lakh bales. India’s cotton exports this year may fall short of estimates. Export enquiries are poor as Indian cotton is more expensive compared with world cotton prices. The season started with very poor opening stock. Arrivals are not picking up as expected and domestic mills are gradually increasing capacity utilization. Cotton arrivals in November usually surpass 1.5 lakh bales a day. At present, it is at 1.3 lakh bales a day. In several areas, sowing and harvesting have been delayed. Further, farmers are waiting for prices to improve. Prices are down 35 per cent already. So farmers are not selling cotton. But there are no signs that prices would improve either.

Made in Bangladesh Week was held from November 12 to 18, 2022, organized by BGMEA. The event highlighted the progress of the Bangladesh apparel industry in safety and sustainability in recent years.

The industry is now focusing on optimum use of resources, including making a shift from the linear to the circular model of business as Bangladesh’s apparel industry generates about 440 million tons of pre-consumer waste every year. Awards were given to the country’s apparel design talents both in the professional and student categories.

Bangladesh’s policy makers, apparel manufacturers, buyers and stakeholders were given a platform to discuss the stories of transformation and progress in workplace safety, workers’ well-being, environmental sustainability and innovation, and to decide the ways forward for the sustainable development of Bangladesh’s apparel industry. Bangladesh is setting up 100 economic zones in different parts of the country, for which local and foreign investment will be encouraged. Made in Bangladesh Week provided industry stakeholders across the world an opportunity to see the take off of the apparel industry as Bangladesh continues to pursue new areas of expansion, manufacturing excellence and sustainable growth. The event ended with a collective promise to attain equitable growth.

India’s free trade agreement with Australia is expected to come into force from January 2023.

The agreement will provide Indian exporters duty-free access to the Australian market in sectors including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery. Labor-intensive sectors which would gain immensely include textiles and apparel, a few agricultural and fish products, leather, footwear, furniture, sports goods, jewellery, machinery, and electrical goods.

Under the pact, Australia is offering zero-duty access to India for about 96 per cent of exports (by value) from day one. This covers many products that currently attract four per cent to five per cent customs duty in Australia.India has got visas for Indian chefs and yoga instructors and also got a commitment that every child going to study in Australia will get an opportunity to work there depending on the level of education.

The pact will help farmers growing grapes for making wine to explore more business opportunities in Australia. The wine industry has welcomed it wholeheartedly since it will help attract investments. There are 6000 farmers in India who grow grapes for wine purposes. Australia has also approved an amendment to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, a move which would help the Indian IT sector operating in that market.It would stop the taxation on the offshore income of Indian firms providing technical support in Australia.

• Intex India – The Leading International Textile Sourcing Show in South Asia

• Exhibitors from 10+ countries across South Asia, South East Asia, China, MENA Region, the EU, Central Europe, the USA and Central America

• 125+ Leading Manufacturers from around the world and India

The 10th edition of Intex India, one of the premier International Textiles Sourcing Show of South Asia, will be held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from December 8 to 10, 2022 with the sole aim of powering India’s growing textile industry.

India is one of the world leaders in textiles andas the world’s fifth-largest exporter for apparel, home, and technical textile products, Indiaholds a key position in the global value chain.

At the same time, India is also one of the faster-growing domestic textile consumption markets, expecting growth at 8% CAGR to reach $100 billion by 2026thanks to the rising penetration of products driven by increased purchasing power. This is a good sign for India’s textile producers as the growing domestic market provides an ample boost to production prospects.

India is now the global hub of opportunities for the textiles and apparel industrywith a number of strong positives going for it. The positives include a favourable global supply chain stressing the need for ‘China Plus One’ strategy. With other regional countries having a narrow bandwidth given their limited geographic size, India can build a strong global position by leveraging its relatively large strategic depth, play to its strength in fabrics by positioning India as a regional fabric hub,increase focus on MMF to gain increased share in global MMF products and emerge as a strong manufacturing alternative in the global value chain.

Taking this forward in a concrete manner, Intex India will enable businesses to explore trade opportunities with leading Indian and overseas suppliers via joint ventures, trade deals and cross-border investments across exhibiting categories including Fibres, Yarns, Apparel Fabrics, Denim Fabrics, Clothing Accessories, Dyes & Chemicals, Software & ERP Solutions, Design Studios, Testing Equipment & Compliance Solutions, Textile Allied Services, etc.

The Indian government has also geared up to support the industry through the launch of numerous key initiatives, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, MITRA (for world-class infrastructure in mega textile parks), providing subsidies such as the Remission of Duties and Taxes on the Export Products (RoDTEP) Scheme to exporters, and removing anti-dumping duty on key MMF raw materials.

This focus on textiles by the Government bodes well for the industry’s future.With targeted actions from government and industry players, India can gain a leading edge on the global stage.

Intex India has been organised with the sole purpose to accelerate this growth by supporting it through a strong business platform. To further strengthen industry, Intex India will see the presence of international suppliers from China, Korea, Thailand, Belarus, Italy, USA, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka,Bangladesh& others.

In a bid to boost export-oriented domestic manufacturing, the Indian Government has been pursuing free-trade agreements with several partners – both bilateral and regional – which include the UK, Canada, the GCC, Bangladesh, Israel, European Union, and Southern African Customs Union.

Trade deals have already been reached with the UAE and Australia enabling India’s exports of textiles and apparel to these countries.Once FTAs with the other countries are signed, India will truly become the supplier of textiles and textile products to the world.

The future of the Indian textiles industry looks promising, supported by strong domestic and global demand. Intex India looks to supplement these positives by empowering industry players to explore new business opportunities, forge worldwide connections and stay up-to-date with contemporary developments.

Featured exhibitors at Intex India includeReshaMandi, Alok Industries, Reid & Taylor, Lukshmi Yarn Impex, Sky Textiles India, Ginza Industries, Texperts, FASHiNZA, Orsha Linen Mill (Belarus), Changzhou Wushuang Textile (China), M & F Company (South Korea), Baeksan Jacquard Co., Ltd (South Korea), Preview In Daegu (DGTIA) - South Korea, Egypt Cotton Association (Egypt), Pantone (Hong Kong) and Italtex (Italy).

This year, Intex India would also be organising the renowned Interactive Business Forum (IBF) Seminar Series and ‘Trendz Now’ –the colour, fabric and fashion forecast showcase alongside Intex India, thus creating a premium and complete B2B international textile trade & sourcing platformmaking Intex India the annual calendar event for South Asia’s Textile & Apparel industry.

Intex India is supportedby the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Indiaand also supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India as well as by apex chambers from India and across the world.

Intex India is the gateway to the dynamic markets of India and South Asia, making it one of the must-attend events in the textile sourcing industry.

For more information, you can call on +91 9820028359 or write on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.