Nike and Adidas have an ongoing battle for footwear supremacy. Nike is the larger business overall and the market leader in the global sports footwear industry with revenues from footwear of over $24.2 billion in 2018, compared to Adidas footwear revenue of $15 billion. These figures include not only Nike and Adidas branded footwear but also Converse (owned by Nike) and Reebok (owned by Adidas). Nike might be the bigger company but through sponsorship and an improving cool factor, Adidas is closing the gap. Since 2015 Adidas footwear has been growing at an average rate of 17.6 per cent whereas Nike footwear has been growing at an average rate of 6.8 per cent.

Nike’s market capitalization is more than double that of Adidas. Adidas has been demonstrating a stronger share price performance in 2019 whereas Nike has been growing in line with industry performance.

Adidas has adopted a marketing approach which focuses more on street wear sneakers through cooler collaborations with music and celebrity influencers as compared to Nike’s more sports-focused approach. Clearly with the athleisure trend moving sportswear from the gym to the office Adidas is betting that it can take even more of the market with this approach.

The textile town of Solapur will host one of the world’s biggest exclusive expos for terry towels next month to woo international buyers who will be able directly source from local manufacturers. Organised by the Textile Development Foundation of Solapur in association with Global Network (International Trade Advisory) and supported by Ministry of Co-operative, Marketing and Textile, Maharashtra, the Terry Towel Global Expo and Summit 2019 from September 25 to 27. The expo will showcase a variety of towels along with unique jacquard woven terry towels and bath linen products.

The expo will showcase large varieties of high quality towels designed through deployment of latest technologies. Over 200 international buyers from 20 countries will attend this expo including department stores, wholesalers and retailers, corporate buyers, purchasing agents, merchants and exporters. Buyers from countries such as the US, UK, UAE, Canada, Poland, Germany, Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will be present.

During April to June 2019 India’s exports of cotton yarn fell by 34.6 per cent. The cotton and blends spinning industry is witnessing the biggest crisis in the past nine years. More than 600 spinning mills have shut down across India. Out of this, 225 mills have been closed down in Tamil Nadu. The steep fall has been caused by a variety of reasons, including a decline in exports to leading export markets like China, Bangladesh, South Korea and the duty-free access given for import of cotton yarn by China to countries like Pakistan and Vietnam.

The cotton yarn sector is one of the pillars of the Indian textile industry and is also highly modernised and technology driven and also provides sustainable income to farmers. Considering the large scale investment in the spinning sector and the sluggish demand in the domestic markets, exports are the only avenue to ensure uninterrupted production and capacity utilization. Even though cotton yarn is a value added product, it has been excluded from export benefits like interest subvention, the Merchandise Export of India Scheme and the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies schemes. There is no rebate on embedded taxes like agricultural cess, mandi tax, power and fuel surcharge, which are incurred in the production process.

Some key factors influencing the spunmelt nonwoven fabrics market are: growth of modern healthcare in developing markets, rise in birth rate in emerging economies and increase in the geriatric population in western countries.

Spunmelt nonwoven is a fabric-like material made from staple fiber and long fiber, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used in the textile manufacturing industry to denote fabrics such as felt which are neither woven nor knitted. Some nonwoven materials lack sufficient strength unless densified or reinforced by a backing. In recent years, nonwoven has become an alternative to polyurethane foam. Based on application, the upholstery segment is expected to grow at a significant rate till 2026. Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. It is equally applicable to domestic, automobile, airplane and boat furniture, and can be applied to mattresses, particularly the upper layers, though these often differ significantly in design.

Volatility in the prices of raw materials, concerns about balancing performance and cost among small manufacturers restrict the market growth of spunmelt nonwoven fabrics.

For the first half of the year L Brands’ revenue fell 1.4 per cent. The group is the owner of brands like Victoria’s Secret. This brand’s revenue fell six per cent. But another brand, Bath & Body Works, saw revenues rise by ten per cent.

L Brands, based in the US, has a total of 2,927 stores. In the second quarter of the year there were 36 store openings and 52 closures. Most of the closures were of Victoria’s Secret stores. There are a total of 37 Victoria’s Secret stores in the United States. As for stores managed by third parties, L Brand had at the end of the first half 687 stores. During the last quarter, the company opened 36 new stores under this model and closed other 23.

L Brands’ gross margin has been contracting year over year for the past few quarters. For fiscal 2019, its gross margin rate is likely to decrease year over year, mainly due to lower merchandise margins. Also, SG&A costs are expected to increase year over year, stemming from higher wage rate and inflation-related pressure. Further, L Brands’ balance sheet doesn't look healthy, owing to a high debt level. Victoria’s Secret was once known as the success formula for mass-market lingerie in the United States.

Munich Fabric Start will be held September 3 to 5, 2019. A broad spectrum of fabrics, additionals, prints or denim, manufacturing services and a supporting program will be on offer to around 20,000 visitors. The trade fair will present a range of products and innovative process solutions and cutting-edge material resources and is focused on the strategic approach of showcasing new fields of inspiration in a unique, exclusive and appropriate setting.

The trend presentations will take on a brand new form. The resource area will be extended and establish itself as the center for sustainable fabrics and additionals with proven expertise and know-how. A special opening will be the sourcing area. Keyhouse will span the fashion spectrum, from technology to sustainability, from digitalisation to new material resources and manufacturing processes, offering a wealth of cutting-edge research projects, inspiring collaborations and high-tech product and process developments.

The latest creations for buttons, ribbons, decorative stones, fasteners, lace, embroidery and labels will be presented by over 200 leading suppliers of additionals and accessories for autumn/winter ’20/’21. More than 800 fabric suppliers will demonstrate the versatile and individual ways the trend of sustainability can be understood and translated. Inspiring print designs and creative energy will be provided by textile designers and trend agencies.

China is the largest consumer of textile chemicals owing to the growing apparel and textile production and the huge production of synthetic fibers and cotton. The Asia Pacific is growing at 5.1 per cent. Textile production and chemical consumption have shifted from North America to Asia.

Textile chemicals are specialty chemicals used in the textile industry for a variety of purposes such as coloring, dyeing, and finishing. These chemicals find applications in various divisions of the textile sector that include home furnishing, industrial, and others. Owing to the changing trends in fashion technology, coupled with the growth of the apparel section of the textile industry, the critical application of textile chemicals is found to be in apparels. Consistent advances in the textile chemical market owing to innovative efforts have enhanced the efficiency of textile chemicals.

The market for textile chemicals is influenced by the rising demand for home furnishing products, the evolution of environmentally friendly chemicals required by textiles industries, and the development of packaging industries, which require large textile chemicals. In textiles, industry surfactant is used for processes such as scouring, lubrication, and dyeing and finishing. Some common surfactants are ethoxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, fatty acid ethoxylate, and fatty amines ethoxylate.

Cambodia International Machinery Industry Fair (CIMIF) is on from August 22 to 25, 2019. The trade fair is dedicated to the textile and garment industry, featuring all the crucial aspects of the industry, such as textile machinery and accessories, apparel machinery and accessories, fibers, filaments, yarn, and fabrics. Exhibitors from 15 countries are displaying a broad range of innovative products and versatile solutions. This covers plastic, packaging, printing, agriculture, auto part and accessories, machine tools, hardware and tools, energy and electricity engineering, and lighting.

The main purpose of the event is to boost industrial development and attract foreign investors to Cambodia. Particularly, it seeks to create opportunities for manufacturers to improve their machinery through new business partnerships. Entrepreneurs can learn about the latest technology and machinery and grow and expand.

The country’s economic growth for the year is placed at seven per cent, backed by a strong performance of the garment, tourism and construction sectors. From a macroeconomic perspective, the country is strong, with garments being one of the main contributors to national growth. The EU is Cambodia’s top export destination, accounting for 40 per cent of all its exports. These have risen sharply in recent years, increasing by 227 per cent between 2011 and 2016.

China’s direct investment in Vietnam has surged more than 60 per cent this year. China now is the third-biggest FDI investor to the country, climbing up from fifth in 2018. Vietnam is one of the favored options as the country has witnessed pledges of foreign direct investment from China surge 134 per cent from January to July. Increasing production costs in China has pushed manufacturers to relocate their factories to Southeast Asia countries which have lower costs. Vietnam is also seen as a country with a better labor supply. Another reason for the Chinese shift to Vietnam is the trade dispute with the US.

Manufacturers considering moving out of China are mainly producers engaged in low-end sectors in manufacturing, including textiles and garments, consumer discretionary and electronics packaging and assembly. But high-end industries, such as electronics and machinery, are also showing signs of relocating to Vietnam.

Vietnam is not the only one. The trade war is also benefiting countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The massive outflow of production from China is going to them. While outerwear is moving into Myanmar and Vietnam, sportswear and bottoms are moving into Cambodia. There has also been an increased general outflow into Bangladesh.

"It’s been nearly a decade since designers reinvented activewear for everyday use, their popularity continues to soar. This was particularly evident at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, where many brands launched their spring collections that included leggings and tailored, fitted pullovers Enhanced with new colors, upgraded performance materials and utilitarian details, these garments featured modern, contemporary designs not often associated with outdoor gear."

It’s been nearly a decade since designers reinvented activewear for everyday use, their popularity continues to soar. This was particularly evident at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, where many brands launched their spring collections that included leggings and tailored, fitted pullovers Enhanced with new colors, upgraded performance materials and utilitarian details, these garments featured modern, contemporary designs not often associated with outdoor gear. Though their stylisation did not represent a true deviation from the categories, it definitely signaled increased openness of consumers to connect with the natural.

Brands launch more casual and wearable styles

With consumers new found desire to go explore their natural surroundings, many brands are introducing more casual, wearable styles that easily transition from street to mountain. Mountain Hardwear, which started as a brand for climbers, introduced modern shapes and silhouettes with color palettes that are more aligned with contemporary fashion apparel. The brand also plans to launch a new range of shirts featuring graphics designed by a handful of chosen artists, all printed on organic cotton. The whimsical, eye-catching prints set the line apart from the brand’s more function-focused gear.

A new perspective to design

Jason Israel, Creative Director-Performance, The North Face says, the outdoor apparel market is currently going through a metamorphosis with consumers expecting more than a performance-driven design. This transition allows Israel and his design team to infuse a new perspective into its design to cater to people’s needs and use applications.

One of the main attractions of the brand’s Spring ’20 collection is the women’s Arque jacket, built with the brand’s signature Futurelight material. Made from nanospun, 100 per cent recycled nylon and polyester, the jacket’s lightweight waterproof shell keeps wearers safe from the elements. Its slightly asymmetrical hem has been built with covert functionality, to suit the needs of its consumers. The brand also plans to launch revamped version of its signature Denali fleece—specifically, the 1995 iteration. It will adopt trends or styles that are deeply rooted in the brand’s DNA and give them a modern and fresh look.

More styles in performance fabrics

Jenna Caccavo, Senior Trend Forecaster of Cotton Inc does not think outdoor brands will completely abandon performance fabrics. They will instead add certain selected styles to their line that are lighter on functional features. She advises mass market and fast fashion to capitalise on this growing trend which merges fashion with function.

Ashlee Peterson, of Mountain Headwear also agrees that outdoor gear is now ready to incorporate contemporary styling elements into its repertoire. Earlier an outdoor product looked, sounded and also felt like an outdoor product. But now, brands have started to blur these lines. The North Face is subverting the historical context and vision for outdoor products by combining the new apparel technologies and innovations in softer and more approachable ways. Its efforts are winning the approval of is consumers who are rushing to buy these garments.