Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) will be held August 19 to 21, 2019. ATSC will feature 500 exhibits of the latest in apparel and textile products and services from more than 20 countries. In addition, ATSC will deliver a world-class fashion show, representing local and international designers, up-and-coming student talent and global fashions presented by show exhibitors.

Thousands of representatives from the apparel and textile industry will convene to hear Canadian trade policy updates and future market outlook as well as the latest industry developments. The show will present a leading roster of speakers covering key topics such as customs, imports and exports, investment opportunities for apparel brands and retailers, shifts in the North American apparel retail trade, compliance, sustainability, industry trends and forecasts, latest digital and lean manufacturing technologies, and the future of fashion. Global apparel industry experts will discuss China’s changing role in the international sourcing landscape.

With Canada in the midst of a shifting trade environment, ATSC has put together the most comprehensive sourcing seminars, expert panels and Q&A segments to arm representatives across all segments of the industry — brands, retailers, e-commerce sellers, designers, importers and buying offices — with the knowledge, tools and practical solutions they need to address current industry issues and navigate through the rapidly-transforming sourcing ecosystem.

BGMEA President Rubana Huq has accused the new fire safety related conditions imposed by Accord of harming the apparel industry. She believes that the new conditions are slowing down the pace of the association’s growth. She also accused Accord of violating the conditions of the memorandum of understanding. Bangladesh attracts renowned clothing brands with is its cheap labor. But the sector, which employs over four million workers, had faced some fires and accidents due to lax safety measures. The government sprang into action after the 2012 fire at Tazreen Fashions followed by the Rana Plaza collapse, which highlighted the poor working condition at the factories.

The Accord was formed as an independent and legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions to work towards a safe and healthy garment and textile industry in Bangladesh.

World Trade Statistical Review 2019 released by the World Trade Organisation reveals that Vietnam and Bangladesh have jointly become the second largest apparel exporters in the world in terms of export value. Bangladesh exported apparels worth $32 billion in 2018, increasing from $29 in 2017. On the other hand, Vietnam exported $32 billion apparels in 2018, increasing from $27 billion in the previous year where total global apparel export market is $421 billion.

Bangladesh’s market share in the global clothing market eroded 0.1 percentage points to 6.4 per cent in 2018 from 6.5 per cent in 2017. Bangladesh’s closest competitor in the global market, Vietnam, narrowed the gap with its competitor with its exports increasing by 0.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent in 2018.

China still remains as the top exporter of apparel products with $158 billion, its market share slid to 31.3 per cent in 2018 from 34.9 per cent in the previous year. India’s market share declined to 3.3 per cent from 4.1 per cent, while Turkey’s share declined to 3.1 per cent from 3.3 per cent a year ago.

Warp knitters in Punjab apprehend that the anti-dumping duty would hike prices of domestic yarn, giving an advantage to Chinese products. The anti-dumping duty was imposed at the behest of domestic yarn manufacturers. Knitters wonder why domestic yarn manufacturers need protection at the cost of lakhs of people engaged in fabric production, garment and apparel making. However, manufacturers say the domestic industry is already protected by an anti-dumping on nylon filament yarn, which was lifted only last year.

Warp knitting manufacturers in Punjab roll out a range of products, including shoes, school bags, curtains, briefcases, sports gear and helmets. Warp knitting fabrics are used in a range of items, including upholstery of cars, home textiles, travelling accessories and men’s and women’s wear. This is a highly labor intensive industry. Punjab has some 350 units. Ludhiana has less than 12 units, especially in circular knitting. Due to cheap imports from China and Bangladesh and their predatory pricing, demand from the Kolkata market has drastically plummeted in the past five years. Earlier, Kolkata used to be the major buyer from the Punjab market. The industry wants a hike in import duties to discourage the dumping of warp knitting fabrics from China and Bangladesh.

Uniqlo aims at having more than 1000 stores in China in three years. The move comes on the back of Chinese consumers’ soaring demand for upscale clothing. Uniqlo will continue to ride the country's booming consumption upgrade to open more stores in lower tier cities.

As of now, the Japanese clothing brand has some 700 outlets in China. Uniqlo will use both physical and online channels to reach its goals. It will also adopt technologies to improve its digital operations, such as developing mobile phone apps and websites so its products can connect digitally with consumers, especially at places where there are no brick-and-mortar stores. Uniqlo, in the meantime, is catering to the new consumption pattern of China's young consumers, who are willing to pay for quality rather than quantity. From 2014 to 2018, its market share climbed from 0.7 per cent to 1.2 per cent in the Chinese market.

Fast fashion produced rapidly to meet the latest trends mainly uses western designs and does not reflect Chinese preferences. Established global and domestic brands face difficulties in maintaining customer loyalty in China. Integration of fashion and traditional Chinese cultural factors is necessary. Retailers need to adopt innovative upgrades and be more responsive to the needs of consumers.

The Kaduna state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) recently organised a public lecture on the ‘Revival of Industry in The North, The Textile Example’. Speaking at the event, two notable textile leaders, Dattijo Adhama and Comrade Issa Aremu identified the revival of the moribund textile industry as the fastest way of President Muhammadu Buhari’s mission of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

While Aremu called for creation of a ministry for the textile industry, Dattijio Adhama, Executive Chairman, Adhama Textiles and Garments Industry, noted that even if the textile industry produces only pants, it will have a huge capacity to employ millions of Nigeria. He stated that even if Nigeria produces three pairs of pants for each Nigerian annually, it will produce 600 million pants annually.

Adhama also commended President Muhannadu Buhari and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele for the policy to compel the military and paramilitary agencies to patronise Made in Nigeria textile.

General-Secretary of National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers Union, Comrade Aremu recommended the establishment of a Ministry for Textile Industry to fast track the full revival of the industry to generate the desired jobs.

Nilit, one of the largest manufacturers of premium nylon 6.6 fiber, has developed a sustainability business strategy that encompasses all aspects of its operations. Nilit’s sustainability business strategy focuses on reducing its carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, consumption of water and other natural resources, and use of harmful chemicals and nonrenewable materials. It also aims to accelerate the creation and commercialisation of new products that are bio-based, biodegradable and recycled.

The strategy calls for adhering to the highest standard with regard to ethical business practices while treating employees, customers, suppliers, and partners with courtesy and respect and choosing to partner with those who do the same. At the same time, it aims to support sustainability education and charitable programs in the communities in which it operates.

The company, headquartered in Middal Haemek, Israel, has also taken significant measures to strengthen its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) position over the past three years. It has examined its products and manufacturing facilities, conducting complete Life Cycle Assessments (LCA).

It has also ensured that its policies and procedures fully safeguard its employees and the communities in which it operates, while protecting the planet and the people who inhabit it.

The global luxury goods market is growing steadily at 3.40 per cent. Reason: existence of potentially large players who are focusing hard on making affordable luxury items for luring consumers from emerging economies. Competition between the handful of established vendors is getting intensified as they are vying to gain the attention of millennials and post millennials.

Luxury goods comprise jewelry and watches, fragrance and perfumes, cosmetics and personal care products, apparels, and wine/champagne. Luxury goods are mainly high-value products in terms of quality and price. Such goods have become a status symbol for many individuals. Rising living standards globally and the growing spending capacity of consumers are the main factors driving the growth in the global luxury goods market. Many players in the global luxury goods market are focusing on introducing various tailor-made products matching prevailing trends to meet consumer demand. Growing demand for a variety of luxury goods, and increasingly creative and advanced marketing activities through online platforms, is also propelling growth in the global luxury goods market.

Europe is expected to account for the leading share in the global luxury goods market in coming years. This is attributed to flourishing fashion and luxury brands and the rising number of high-end department stores in the region.

A textile processing zone is coming up in Sri Lanka. The zone will have factories for woven manufacturing, knitted manufacturing, dyeing and finishing.

Sri Lanka is an ideal model for speed-to-market given its strategic geographical location. Customers look at the country for reliability, quality and quick response, for which a dedicated textile facility is needed. Apparel exports of Sri Lanka grew 6.38 per cent in May 2019. From January to May apparel exports grew 8.7 per cent against the same period last year. This has been the highest growth rate recorded in the past five years. Sri Lanka’s apparel exports have made a significant impact on American, European and other major export markets around the globe. The country’s target is to reach $ 8 billion in exports by 2025. Apparels are Sri Lanka’s biggest exports to the EU. Almost 90 per cent of Sri Lankan exports to the EU are exported under GSP Plus or with zero duty. About 57 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total exports go to the EU and US markets.

The GSP Plus scheme has encouraged increased value addition within Sri Lanka and promoted backward integration, resulting in the setting up of new industries and creating new employment opportunities in the country.

India may opt out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP. The country needs substantial offers in services, including in the area of work visas and easing of movement of workers, for the pact to succeed. Indian industries, including iron and steel, dairy, marine products, electronic products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals and textiles, have expressed concern that the proposed tariff elimination under RCEP would render them uncompetitive. India is also fearful that China will dump its goods into India once the pact is signed. While India may be in a position to be more generous toward Asean, South Korea and Japan, with which it already has trade pacts, the same doesn’t hold true for Australia, New Zealand and most importantly China.

The RCEP, once implemented, could be the largest free trade zone in the world as member countries account for 40 per cent of global GDP, 30 per cent of global trade, 26 per cent of global foreign direct investment flows and 45 per cent of the total population. The 16-member grouping comprises ten Asean countries, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. They are hoping to conclude the agreement by November-end. But India does not want to be hustled.