HanesBrands Inc., a global leader in iconic apparel brands, has released its 2022 Sustainability Summary Report, highlighting significant accomplishments in the areas of People, Planet, and Product. The company has set ambitious sustainability goals, and the report outlines its progress in achieving them.

In terms of People, HanesBrands aims to improve the lives of at least 10 million people through diversity and inclusion, workplace equality, health and wellness, education, and community-improvement philanthropy.

The report indicates that the company has made progress in this area, with 2.7 million lives impacted by HanesBrands’ philanthropic initiatives and associate and community programs. The company has also provided 8.5 million pieces of essential clothing to people in need and achieved a 50% representation of women in senior manager and above positions in the U.S.

Regarding the Planet, HanesBrands has set science-based targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy and water use by 25%, move to 100% renewable electricity, and take landfill waste to zero.

The report shows that the company has made progress towards these targets, with a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 92% waste diversion from landfill. Additionally, almost 50% of the electricity the company consumes is from renewable sources.

For its Product goals, HanesBrands aims to use 100% recycled/biodegradable polyester and sustainably sourced cotton, reduce packaging weight by 25%, and eliminate single-use plastics. The report indicates that the company has made progress in these areas as well, with 70% of cotton used being sustainably grown, and projects implemented to reduce single-use plastic by 34% and packaging weight by 11%.

HanesBrands has also launched its “I’m In” global associate sustainability campaign to encourage associates to do simple things to create major change. The campaign is designed to further strengthen HanesBrands’ impact on improving the environment and fostering engagement among its internal teams to help create a more comfortable world for everybody.

With more than 50,000 associates around the world, the company hopes to make a significant impact in achieving its sustainability goals.

The global insect repellent apparel market, to expand at a CAGR of 6.2% and will attain a valuation of US$ 550 Mn during the forecast period of 2021-2031, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

The growth is being driven by the rising incidence of insect-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. The increasing demand for outdoor recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, and sports, is also driving the growth of this market.

Insect repellent apparel refers to clothing designed to protect individuals from insect bites and the diseases they can transmit. This type of clothing is treated with insect repellent chemicals that repel insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects.

The global apparel industry is heading for a slowdown this year as macroeconomic tensions and slumping consumer confidence chip away at post-Covid 2022′s profits of most retailers. In many key categories like electronics, garments, furnishings, and automobiles, the need-to-have essentials versus great-to-have non-essentials for the daily living segment are being closely scrutinized.

In many segments of retail spending such as electronics, luxury fashion apparels and cars, where price tags are higher and goods are long-lasting, most consumers are less likely to replace them with new versions in 2023. Meanwhile, global apparel industry has felt the impact of rising cotton prices and this has affected sales. Even though there was a strong sales run during the second half of last year, it has been rather volatile after that and the trend is changing for every quarter after that.

US markets sees a cut in retail spending

Consumers in the US have drastically cut down on their unplanned shopping splurges on apparel and accessories and put off replacements and upgrades of electronics for another brighter day. US-based PYMNTS, a recognized global leader for data, news, and insights with a set of proven frameworks to analyze scales in dynamic markets, highlighted in its recent report that there has been around $8 billion cut in US retail spending in the past few months. The research has shows 67 per cent retail customers are expecting a significant price increase next year and the average global consumer does not expect inflation to return to normal until the end of 2024. Data from the US Census Bureau also shows general spending has declined 1per cent month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis which follows a 0.2 per cent decline seen in February versus January 2023.

While the electronics and appliances segment was lower by 2.1 per cent month over month and around 10.3 per cent year on year, even the home furniture and home furnishings segment was down 1.2 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively. Spending on branded clothes, shoes, bags and accessories has also slipped 1.7 per cent month on month and 1.8 per cent from a year ago.

Alongside slowdown, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been warning advertisers to back up claims about their products and has issued notices to over 670 companies warning that they may face civil penalties if they make claims in their ads that cannot be substantiated with reliable evidence. The problem is, as consumers tighten purse strings, many companies are making false claims and misleading advertisements to lure people into buying their products.

India’s textile segment too sees sales slow down

In India too, the slowdown is not restricted to just apparel and has even hit the fine dining restaurants and liquor segments, which had both surpassed pre-Covid sales last year with consumers’ vengeance to be finally out wining and dining again. However, this quick rise in demand for feel-good categories such as apparel, quick service restaurants and lifestyle products has started to lessen with the peak period already over. For apparel players, growth may look optically high in good seasons but overall demand trends remain broadly unchanged. The impact of rising cotton prices has hit hardest the small-town consumers who are most price-sensitive.

A HDFC Securities a report states, demand peak in discretionary categories seems to be behind us. Elevated ticket sizes and store expansion coupled with normalising footfalls aided growth. However, in retail, many of these variables are now mean-reverting. In Q4, we are already seeing signs of reined-in expansion plans across categories and ticket sizes are also normalising. Discretionary spending may weaken in Q4, as apparel, lifestyle companies etc expect sales to grow only 15-20 per cent. Experts caution, pent-up demand cannot sustain forever as people go back to normal habits.

Downcycle exposure and sustainability of certain segments in the apparel industry may provide the biggest opportunities while inflation is the greatest threat with deteriorating macroeconomics and job losses weighing in heavily on the industry in the second half of 2022 and continuing to leave the fashion segment on tippy toes in the first few months of 2023.

Global fashion brand Uniqlo has launched its new prototype roadside store, the Uniqlo Maebashi Minami IC Store, in Japan.

The store is designed to appeal to customers while also incorporating a range of energy-saving features and lifestyle services. The company intends to use the store as a blueprint for future roadside stores.

The Maebashi store has been developed to reduce energy consumption and includes solar panels, skylights, glass facades and eaves to reduce the amount of energy used for lighting and air conditioning.

It also incorporates the Uniqlo FLOWER florist shop, Uniqlo COFFEE café, and RE.UNIQLO STUDIO, a repair, reuse, recycle and remake service.

By 2030, Uniqlo aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 2019 levels.

The new store is expected to use around 40% less electricity compared to conventional Uniqlo roadside stores.

China-based retailers are driving growth in the luxury fashion industry. The latest figures show that wholesale transaction volumes from China-based retailers were up 61% compared to last year, from 1 February to 16 March 2023, according to data from fashion industry wholesale management ecosystem Joor.

Joor's findings are supported by McKinsey's fashion forecasts, which predict that the luxury sector will grow by 5-10% in 2023, driven by strong momentum from China.

Sales to Chinese consumers globally are expected to grow by 25-35% in 2023, according to investment company Bernstein. Other global regions also saw healthy growth, with China-based retailers buying North America-based brands up 12% and APAC-based brands up 7% compared to last year.

The Chinese market is expected to be a growth engine for the luxury fashion industry this year, and Joor's exclusive data clearly illustrates this trend for the forthcoming AW23 season.

Reports from the latest international fashion weeks in Milan and Paris also documented an influx of Chinese buyers returning to international fashion presentations.

Chinese retailers have been flooding back to the fashion calendar since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

Joor facilitates both in-person/showroom ordering through its new Pro Retail App and online sales through its digital platform.

China has clarified the subsidy ceiling for cotton in Xinjiang at 5.1 million tons, leading to concerns over a decrease in cotton supply and its impact on the market.

The target price for Xinjiang cotton has remained at 18,600 yuan/mt since 2016, with the subsidy amount limited to 85% of the national average cotton production in the base period.

However, the latest statistics show that Xinjiang's cotton output for the 2022/23 cotton year may exceed the subsidy quantity, which could cause a decline in cotton production and lead to an increase in cotton futures prices.

Some cotton farmers may choose to plant other crop varieties, while spinning and weaving mills may need to import more cotton or turn to other fibres such as cellulose fibre.

The reduction in cotton subsidies may not exceed 500kt, and the market share for cellulose fibre may increase by just over 100kt. The impact of the subsidy reduction on the industry and the stability of demand for other fibres’ remain to be seen.

The global textile industry has been experiencing a negative trend since June 2022, with a "perfect storm" scenario of high production costs and relatively low demand affecting companies across all segments, according to recent survey done by ITMF

This has resulted in a decrease in order intake, which has been steadily declining since November 2021, with weak demand cited as a major concern since July 2022. The industry has also been grappling with the issue of inflation, which remains a top concern worldwide.

However, there is some optimism among industry players, with expectations for the business climate in six months' time showing improvement since November 2022. It remains unclear whether this is due to a belief that the situation cannot get much worse or anticipation of a well-founded economic normalisation.

Despite these challenges, there are some positive signs for the industry, with order cancellations remaining relatively low and inventory levels stabilising. The 19th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS) found that 53% of respondents had no order cancellations during the last four months, with South America and spinners and weavers being particularly affected. Additionally, 58% of respondents rated inventory levels as average, with home textile producers reporting the highest levels of inventory.

As the industry looks towards the second half of 2023, there is hope that these positive signs will continue and lead to a brighter future. However, companies must remain vigilant and proactive in navigating the challenges they currently face.

The fashion industry in India is becoming more inclusive towards plus-size women, with a growing number of designers and brands launching plus-size clothing lines.

The change in attitude reflects growing public criticism of fat-shaming and has been aided by public naming and shaming of discriminatory practices by industry watchdogs.

The Indian market for plus-size clothing is estimated at $2 billion per year, and the plus-size segment is projected to reach $696.7 billion globally by 2027. However, some people argue that the newfound inclusivity is little more than tokenism.

Valued at USD 1.7 trillion in 2022, the global textile industry is on an upward growth trajectory, with the rising footprint of retail outlets and supermarkets, according to a recent report from Grand View Research.

The industry is set to benefit from the adoption of data analytics, AI, IoT and 3D technologies, which have redefined clothing production and minimized waste.

The demand for low-cost clothing has prompted brands to inject funds into synthetic and sustainable garments, with temperature-sensitive clothes poised to be the next big thing to boost sustainability in the apparel sector. Additionally, there has been a paradigm shift in fashion production, with the demand for vegan leather and more ethical practices, including investing in cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and fur-free options.

The report highlights that the household textile market share will rise with surging consumer spending on renovation and furnishing, with retailers poised to inject funds into sustainable home décor.

The industry is expected to prioritize recyclable fabrics and sustainable packaging to bolster their environmental profile. The technical textile sector is also expected to see bullish investments with heightened demand for durability and strength from various industries.

Investments in bio-based polyester and fashion textiles are expected to grow in the European market, while the Asia Pacific textile industry is set to benefit from buoyant investments in garments and apparel across China, India, and Bangladesh.

Gap has partnered with Mattel to launch a new clothing line inspired by the iconic Barbie doll, ahead of the release of the new film "Barbie" in late May.

The Gap x Barbie collection will include an assortment of T-shirts, skirts, logo hoodies, denim, button-downs and accessories, as well as pet apparel, retailing from $24 to $69.

The collaboration is part of a series of collaborations that will also feature Hot Wheels, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, Masters of the Universe and others.

This marks one of Mattel’s largest softlines partnerships, which will be available on Gap's website and select stores globally.