The online market for children and maternity apparel in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to experience substantial growth in the coming years, with estimates suggesting it could increase by USD 886.26 million between 2021 and 2026. This would equate to a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.55 per cent over the forecast period, as per a new report by Technavio.

The mass category segment is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for a variety of children's and maternity apparel, as well as the expansion of middle-income households in MENA. The rise in internet penetration and the number of smartphone users has created significant opportunities for vendors operating in this segment.

One of the key growth drivers for the market is the increasing awareness of children and maternity wear among consumers, particularly women. Advertising through television, digital, and social media has influenced the purchasing decisions of women, and several market players are spending on advertisements with the help of maternity modeling to create a better connection with pregnant women.

A major trend in the market is the increasing demand for eco-friendly, high-quality, comfortable, and stylish maternity clothing. Customers are becoming more conscious of the materials used in their clothes and are exhibiting increased demand for eco-friendly maternity clothes that use organic materials, such as organic cotton and recycled polyamide. To cater to this demand, market players are increasing the use of sustainable materials to make children and maternity apparel.

However, the high overhead costs for online retailers are identified as a major challenge in the market, with logistical complications, which consequently affects the profit margins of market players.

Luxury fashion house Chanel has caused a stir on social media with the sale of a second-hand ‘shopping basket’ for an eye-watering $101,298.

The basket, which is part of the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, is silver plated and wrapped with strips of black leather, and features the brand’s iconic interlocking Cs logo. The product is available in three sizes and was modelled on the runway by Kendal Jenner and Stella Tennant.

The bizarre item has been met with confusion and disbelief on social media, with many users questioning why anyone would pay such an exorbitant amount for a shopping basket. The listing for the basket on Farfetch's website reads: "For AW14, Chanel created its own supermarket to showcase one of the brand's most memorable runways. Forming part of said collection is this basket bag, wrapped with the maison's signature leather and chain-link straps."

While luxury brands are known for their over-the-top designs and exorbitant price tags, this latest offering from Chanel has raised eyebrows even among the brand’s most dedicated fans. It remains to be seen whether anyone will actually shell out over $100,000 for a second-hand shopping basket, but in the meantime, the product has certainly generated a lot of attention and sparked debate about the value of luxury goods.

At the Bangladesh Business Summit 2023, business leaders in the apparel and textile sectors called for fair and ethical prices for their products sourced by international buyers and brands.

They emphasized that Bangladesh has significantly improved in terms of quality, product diversity, and compliance compared to competing countries, but buyers still pay lower than the global average to garment suppliers in Bangladesh. The leaders demanded that buyers prioritize fair product prices and ensure sustainable growth in the industry by collaborating with all stakeholders, including suppliers and the government.

Despite achieving international standards in working environment, fire safety, and building safety, Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi acknowledged the challenges the industry faces due to the Covid-19 pandemic, global political instability, and inflation. He emphasized the continuous growth in demand for yarn and fabric, buoyed by Bangladesh's garment exports.

The leaders concluded that sustainability and continuous improvement of the garment industry in Bangladesh require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, and by addressing its challenges, the industry can become more competitive, profitable, and sustainable.

Italian knitwear B2B company, Cifra, has unveiled its latest Fall Winter 2024 sportswear collection, featuring a blend of natural fibers and sustainable yarns.

The collection showcases Merino wool's natural heat insulation, durability and moisture-wicking properties, combined with the latest sustainable fibers through the use of WKS technology. The Warp Knit Seamless technique is used to create exclusive and customized garments, emphasizing sustainability, design, and a traceable value chain.

The collection includes a world-first introduction of the SENSIL ByNature yarn, a premium nylon 6.6 fiber produced by Nilit, which uses certified Biomass Balance material to replace fossil raw materials with renewable ones. The technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources, while still providing the same level of comfort, performance and durability expected from the SENSIL brand.

Cifra's latest sportswear collection represents an evolution in sportswear and outdoor wear, with a focus on sustainability, function, and design. The company's commitment to a virtuous and traceable value chain is evident in the collection's unique garments, which enhance performance while reducing the carbon footprint.

The era of larger-than-life fashion designers such as John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld may be coming to an end, as many brands are shifting towards a low-profile approach.

Recent controversies involving Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, and rapper Kanye West have highlighted the risks of having a provocative figurehead. While Gvasalia has been credited with making Balenciaga one of the hottest brands, his edgy approach and celebrity friends have become a liability.

Many brands, including Louis Vuitton and Gucci, are moving away from the big-name designer model. The departure of Alessandro Michele from Gucci and the tragic death of Virgil Abloh from Louis Vuitton have meant that their studios are now in charge of design work.

According to fashion consultants, brand identity is no longer solely about the designer, and designers are seen as interpreters of brand identity. The shift towards a low-profile approach is reflected in the appointment of lesser-known designers at brands such as Hermes, Chanel, and Dior. The trend can be traced back to 2011 when Galliano was removed from Dior after making an anti-Semitic outburst. While brands want to sell products, they also need to entertain and ask questions, which require a little seduction and madness. It is a delicate balance, and the challenge for brands is to strike the right balance between being provocative and being commercially successful.

The US saw a decrease in the import of cotton products in 2022, measured in square meter equivalent, after reaching the highest level in a decade.

However, the International Trade Administration's Office of Textile and Apparels reported that the value of cotton products imports in 2022 was a record $57 billion, which was nearly $8 billion higher than the previous year. The increase in value was attributed to greater unit values and sustained demand from US consumers. Despite consumer inflation, purchases were supported by robust levels of consumer discretionary income, low unemployment, and higher wage growth, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

China remained the largest supplier of cotton products for the 20th consecutive year, despite the Section 301 tariffs and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Cotton's market share of total apparel imports fell to approximately 40 per cent, while man-made fibres including polyester, nylon, spandex, and acrylic tied its record for market share among all US apparel imports at nearly 60 per cent.

Global trade of cotton is forecasted to be down to 39.6 million bales, the lowest level in six years, mostly attributed to lower global consumption. Global ending stocks are forecast to be up to 91.1 million bales, with China's beginning and ending stocks being revised higher due to changes in consumption in 2021-22 and higher 2022-23 production. The US balance sheet is unchanged, and the projected US season-average farm price is also unchanged at 83 cents per pound.

STYLE Bangkok 2023, the event, which will take place from March 22 to 26 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, aims to establish Thailand as a hub for lifestyle products and fashion in Asia.

This year's exhibition, which is expected to attract 30,000 attendees, will showcase 500 exhibitors and 1,000 booths featuring a variety of products such as furniture, gifts, home decorations, dining ware, kitchenware, toys, spa products, and fashion items.

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) has partnered with the Board of Trade of Thailand to host STYLE Bangkok 2023. The organizers have rebranded the event to focus on the "STYLE solution," which aims to provide innovative solutions to consumers.

The event will feature several special activities, including showcasing the DITP's product development projects, seminars and trade information, and an Art Zone that includes lifestyle and creativity and exclusive installations. Business negotiations will take place from March 22 to 24, while retail sales will occur on March 25 and 26.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion and lifestyle industry play a significant role in driving the Thai economy, with more than 1 million workers employed in this sector. In 2022, exports of lifestyle and fashion goods grew by 16.5% year on year and were worth 450 billion baht.

Sustainability is at the forefront of the event, with the exhibition promoting environmentally responsible practices under the concept of "Sustainability."

Pakistan’s leading fashion brand, GulAhmed, has opened its first retail outlet, Ideas by GulAhmed in the UAE, marking its foray into the international market.

The company launched its maiden fashion retail store at City Centre Sharjah to introduce multiple brands, including GulAhmed, Kaaj ready-to-wear, Ideas Home, Ideas Fragrances, Ideas Pret, Ideas Man, Ideas Kids and more.

Dubai was selected to make forays into the international market because of its strong economy, excellent infrastructure, and cosmopolitan culture. GulAhmed Group has chosen the UAE to strengthen its brand presence in the Middle East and North African markets by establishing its base in the emirate.

The GulAhmed Group plans to open two more outlets of Ideas by GulAhmed in Dubai, before exploring Saudi Arabia and other markets in the region. GulAhmed Group is confident of the promising outlook with its foray into the international market this year.

The Karachi-based diversified business conglomerate began trading in textiles in the early 1900s, later expanding into energy, chemical, retail and information technology.

The textile market share is expected to grow with a CAGR of 3.77 per cent in the forecast period between 2022-2032, according to a recent market study by Fact MR

The global textile market is highly competitive, with a few key players dominating the market. Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, dominates the global textile market due to low labor costs and access to raw materials. However, North America and Europe also have significant market shares due to strong manufacturing capabilities and high demand for premium products.

Product innovation is a key driver of competitiveness in the textile market, with companies investing in research and development to develop sustainable materials, improve production processes, and enhance product quality.

The textile market is a vital industry and is driven by consumer demand for new and innovative products, as well as the need for sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials and production methods. The textile market is highly competitive, and companies are constantly seeking new ways to differentiate their products and attract customers.

The emergence of digital technologies and e-commerce has transformed the way consumers shop for textiles, leading to increased competition and disruption across the industry. The market is also subject to various global trends and economic factors, including shifts in consumer preferences and fluctuations in raw material prices.

Bangladesh's apparel exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 14.29 per cent during the first eight months of fiscal year 2022-23, reaching $15.72 billion compared to $13.75 billion during the same period in FY22, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Germany, the largest market in the EU, reported a negative growth rate of 1.03% with $4.62 billion in apparel imports. On the other hand, France and Spain showed an increase in apparel imports from Bangladesh by 27.65 per cent ($1.89 billion) and 18.79 per cent ($2.35 billion), respectively. In contrast, Bulgaria and Poland experienced negative growth rates of 51.21 per cent and 15.06 per cent year-on-year in apparel imports.

During this period, Bangldesh’s exports to the US decreased by 2.87 per cent year-on-year, but apparel exports to Canada and the UK saw a positive growth rate of 20.05 per cent and 14.52 per cent year-on-year, respectively.

Bangladesh's apparel exports to the US, the UK, and Canada during the first eight months of FY23 were $5.68 billion, $3.36 billion, and $980 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, apparel exports to non-traditional markets increased by 35.02 per cent to $5.69 billion, with Japan, Australia, India, and South Korea being the major non-traditional markets, reaching $1.07 billion, $767.75 million, $753.92 million, and $387.63 million, respectively.