To enable footwear brands to better serve Indian consumers, the Central Leather Research Institute, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, has launched the 3D foot mapping project. The project involves developing India-specific footwear-sizing chart. The project involves a survey of over 100,000 people in the age group of 05-55 from across 73 Indian districts. The size chart will be developed upon completion of the survey.

The survey involves collecting of 29 data from each Indian foot examined, says Sreeram, Director, Central Leather Research Institute. Indian feet generally have a wider front portion compared to European feet. This can make European-sized footwear uncomfortable for many Indians, he adds. Indian sizing standard for footwear will be published in the Bureau of Indian Standards by the end of 2022, By then, footwear makers will starting manufacturing shoes and closed footwear for men, women, and children, he adds.

Founded in 1948, the Central Leather Research Institute is also celebrating its 75th year platinum jubilee this year. The organization has released a commemorative stamp with the Indian postal department to celebrate the occasion.

Anticipating no COVID-19 related shutdown during the year, American retailer Guess Inc expects fiscal 2023 revenues to increase by 4 per cent. The company’s revenues increased 21 per cent to $593 million during Q1 FY’23 from $520 million in the same prior-year quarter due to a surge in licensing sales and Americas wholesale revenues.

Retail revenues from the Americas increased 7 per cent while composite sales including e-commerce, increased 3 per cent. Wholesale revenue from the American region increased 50 per cent. Revenues from Europe increased 14 per cent, while the region's retail composite sales, including e-commerce, decreased 6 per cent. Revenues from Asia increased 1 per cent while the region's retail composite sales, including e-commerce, decreased 11 per cent.

Despite the sales uptick, net earnings for the three months ending April 30 fell to $10.5 million, from $12.9 million in the quarter last year, said Guess.

Naveena Denim Mills launched a new collection in collaboration with denim design studio, Endrime Studio during the May edition of Denim PV in Berlin. As per a report by Spin Off, the collection explores alternative ways to design modern denim garments using a mix of cellulosic fibers like Tencel Lyocell and Modal mixed with cotton.

Aydan Tuzun, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Naveena Denim Mills opines, designing a circular economy requires a shared vision and actions to support it. This collaboration will lead to not just amazing denim with authenticity but it will invite all industry leaders to close the loop together. Tencel Lyocell and Modal fibers used in this collection will add softness and strength to traditional denim looks, addsTricia Carey,Director, Global Business Development, Lenzing Fibers Inc.

India’s apparel imports increased by 43.58 per cent Y-o-Y in FY’22 to $1,28 billion. As per an Apparel Resources report, India’s imports of knitted garments surged by 54.12 per cent while the import of woven garments increased by 35.09 per cent to $ 659.61 million.

Imports from Bangladesh increased by 78.87 per cent to $523.04 million and accounted for 41.34 per cent share in total Indian apparel import values. Bangladesh surpassed China to become top destination for India buyers as imports from China remained stagnant at $297.73 million in FY ’22.

India’s apparel imports from Spain increased by 36,28 per cent Y-o-Y to $104.24 million. India’s apparel imports will continue growing as its fashion retail market is registering a M-o-M increase in its sales revenues.

Latest research report from the NPD Group shows, socks have become shoppers’ top clothing purchase, replacing T- shirts over the last two years As per the report, one out of every five items of clothing bought in the US in 2020 and 2021 was a pair of socks.

The trend dovetails with people staying at home for longer periods, as nearly 70 per cent of American adults wear socks around the house. This figure is even higher for men, older folks, and people living in the Northeast,

While socks worn primarily for sleeping represent only 3 per ent of the socks market, it’s a subset that has mushroomed 21 per cent in the last four years. Sales for sleep socks, which tend to be extra plush and not as constrictive, have grown four times as fast as those for socks overall

The fast growth in socks may also owe something to the explosion in e-commerce too. Largely affordable, socks are easy to throw into a shopping cart when a customer is a few dollars shy of free shipping, NPD said.

But even socks offline has also become popular. As people return to physical shopping, there is more opportunities for buyers to indulge in for impulse purchases, says Maria Rugolo, Apparel Industry Analyst, NPD Group. Unplanned sock purchases increased by 10 per cent in 2021

Known for its fashion forward collections imbibed with sporty characteristics, Fila has launched its annual Motorsport Collection. The 2022 collection features innovative technology paying homage to the Indian Motorsport culture. Capturing the key details, the FILA Motorsport collection this year has been designed keeping an individual’s passion for riding and fashion in mind, by combining the philosophy of Form meets Function with a touch of FILA’s signature elements.

The collection features a unique range of Motorsport shoes with qualities like am anti-abrasive patch to shift the gears, Carbon rubber designed outsole and lightweight midsole for a comfortable ride.

The high top shoe features athletic padded high ankle with a strap that secures the shoe to the foot for a smooth ride. The low cut shoes take a more lifestyle approach and can be paired with casual outfits.

Engineered with key features like reflective accents and breathable material that represents the spirit of riding, the collection can be paired to create either a bold fashion statement or complete the Motorsport ensemble for the rider. Showcasing a range graphic tees, tapered joggers, and relaxed fit jackets, the silhouettes define the streetwear style quotient with youthful energy, playfulness, and comfort.

British clothing-to-food retailer Marks and Spencer has closed its operations in Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The brand’s exit, plus disruption to M&S operations in Ukraine run also by franchisee Fiba, is costing the British company £31 million ($39 million). Its exit from Russia comes after Marks and Spencer last year shut more than half its stores in France as Brexit affected supplies of fresh and chilled products.

Ahead, M&S pointed to "difficult and unpredictable headwinds" owing to ongoing fallout from the pandemic in addition to geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The company said a cost-of-living crisis caused by soaring inflation may hit the brand’s sales growth.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co predicts a decline in sales and margins after posting a surprise quarterly loss amid a surge in freight and raw material costs.

Decades-high inflation has pushed consumers to cut spending on discretionary goods such as apparel, while persistent supply chain issues, worsened by the war in Ukraine, have dented profits.

Known for brands such as Hollister and Gilly Hicks, the Ohio-based retailer reported an 810-basis-point fall in first-quarter margins, as it spent $80 million more on transportation.

The company also cut its full-year operating margin to between 5 per cent and 6 per cent from 7 per cent to 8 per cent forecast earlier.

The millennial-focused retailer expects net sales to be flat to up 2 per cent in fiscal 2022, compared with its earlier forecast of a 2 per cent to 4 per cent growth. Analysts on average expect sales to increase 3.5 per cent to $3.84 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

For the three months ending April 30, Abercrombie reported an adjusted per-share loss of 27 cents, while analysts expected a profit of 2 cents.

European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers and Owner of ITMA 2023, CEMATEX has launched an online platform that allows ITMA 2023 participants to build connections, source technologies and solutions, share ideas and grow their business.

ITMAconnect is the new one-stop sourcing platform and knowledge hub that complements the ITMA 2023 exhibition which will be held at the Fiera Milano Rho, Milan, from 8 to 14 June 2023. It will enable exhibitors, visitors and industry partners to start their engagements before the exhibition, make appointments for in-person meetings at ITMA 2023, and continue their discussions even after the exhibition.

Exhibitors will be able to pinpoint business opportunities in advance by allowing them to have access to ITMA 2023 buyers early. They will be assigned ITMAconnect digital spaces for them to present their company information, upload brochures and press releases, and showcase their products. They can also start their engagements with the smart messaging and video meeting feature, and schedule in-person meetings via the business matching tool.

ITMA 2023 exhibitors will automatically become ITMAconnect subscribers. There are several subscription tiers offering varied features to suit the needs of the exhibitors. Access to the platform for exhibitors to prepare their digital showcases will be available from 15 November 2022.

Similarly, visitors will enjoy a two-in-one offer to gain access to ITMA 2023 as well as the online sourcing platform when they purchase their badges. Online access starts from 8 March 2023.

The ITMAconnect platform will also allow participants to access content all year round, making it the go-to knowledge hub for textile related content and events, including webinars, community forums and showcases by exhibitors.

Vietnamese textile companies are urging the government to approve the Development Strategy for Textile and Footwear by 2030 to make the industry self-sufficient in material production and compliant with rules of origin as stated in free trade agreements. Than Duc Viet, Director, Garment 10 Corp has expressed concerns over the tight raw material supply despite a projected rise in demand. Vietnam’s textile exports are expected to rise to $43.5 billion in 2022, according to Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association. However, Du Viet fears Chinese Zero-COVID policy and the Russian military operation in Ukraine will disrupt supply chains, hindering its ability to fulfill new orders. He says, China remains the leading material exporter to Vietnam, accounting for half of the supply. His corporation plans to diversify its suppliers in the next 5-10 years to be less dependent on China, but it has to seek support from its partners in the short term.

Nguyen Duc Thang, Director , Dap Cau Garment, attributes the disruption in company’s production to delayed shipments from Shanghai (China. His company plans to re-negotiate with its partners to put back delivery. Tran Nhu Tung, Chairman of Thanh Cong Textile Garment Investment Trading JSC., reveals, his company plans to substitute Chinese materials with Korean and Thai materials

Trinh Xuan Lam, Chairman, Tien Son Thanh Hoa JSC., says, his company’s attempts to diversify material sourcing has met with little success as materials form other countries is insufficient to fill the gap left by China.

According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam textile exports rose by 23 per cent to $8.8 billion in Q1/2022, compared to the same period last year, representing the highest quarterly growth in 10 years.