Jammu and Kashmir is poised to emerge as a thriving industrial hub with the establishment of several textile units in the Union Territory, as per Union Minister Darshana Vikram Jardosh.

The region's abundant resources and strategic location make it an attractive destination for new textile investments, with the government's focus on the sector aimed at creating employment opportunities for the local population and boosting economic growth.

The textile sector is already one of the largest employers in the region, with over 500,000 people directly or indirectly employed in the industry, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Handicrafts. Traditional textiles such as shawls and carpets also account for a significant portion of the region's exports.

The new textile units are expected to use modern production methods and value addition to enhance the competitiveness of the region's textiles industry. The government is also providing support for the development of related infrastructure such as roads, power supply, and water resources to facilitate the establishment of these units.

Under the PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel scheme, the government plans to set up seven mega textile parks across India by 2026-27, which will generate employment for 20 lakh people and attract investments worth crores.

Besides, the government is promoting other initiatives such as the Handloom and Handicrafts Development Programme, the National Handloom Development Programme, and the Integrated Skill Development Scheme to boost the textiles industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The government's concerted efforts are expected to create a positive impact on the region's economy by providing employment opportunities, attracting investment, and facilitating economic growth.

The new kid on the block is the first-ever premium and super-expensive 0-12 months baby collection launched by the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Interestingly, it created love and hate among different strata of shoppers. Many luxury brands are creating the same unrest in societal strata by launching toddler and baby clothes at over-the-top pricing, which many people think is an absolute waste as children dirty and outgrow clothes every few months.

Many hyper-aspirational brands such as Mary Jane, The Row, run by the Olsen twins, John Lewis among others are routinely launching new portfolios of clothes and accessories for babies and small children, where the prices can be in four-figure dollars and they are still being bought by those who can. With bright blue, orange and pink cashmere items and jumpers from The Row for $800 and £360 monogrammed c shoes, these brands have a brand appeal among those who can and want to buy these products that will soon reach their use-by dates.

Social media influences both children and parents

Although for most parents, childrenswear will always mean affordable and sensible clothing, analysts say kid’s apparel market is expected to grow annually by 2.46 per cent. The concept of letting children be children and dirty themselves in age-appropriate comfortable clothes is now gone, replaced by looking good on social media as a more important mission.

Playdates, playgrounds and social media are now full of parents dressing their children in trendy outfits that include UK brands such as The Bonnie Mob, Another Fox and Organic Zoo and European brands such as Bobo Choses, Tiny Cottons and The Animals Observatory from Spain. Scandinavian countries are leading the bandwagon with unique and sustainable kid-friendly trendy prints of Mini Rodini to smart outerwear brands such as Polarn O, and many others such as Osh Kosh B’gosh, and Emporio Armani.Sonia Rykiel. And Guess Kids among others.

Growing popularity in premium segments

Ad per a Future Market Insights (FMI) study, the children's apparel industry which attained a market revenue of $ 187.29 billion in 2022 is anticipated to reach $ 386.19 billion by the end of 2033,at a CAGR of 6.8 per cent. Developing countries like India and China are now expanding global markets. In the short term of 2023 to 2026, the kid's apparel industry will increase with rising nuclear families consisting of working parents able and willing to spend on premium wear. In the medium term of 2026 to 2029, high exposure to various kinds of social media will boost brand awareness among kids and parents with kids also actively participating in buying decision. In the long term from 2029 to 2033, there will be profits from the rising organized retailers and investors in the market, new brands and more innovative strategies that will highlight the right product assortment, better visual merchandising, focused advertising, and promotional strategies.

Sale of pre-loved kids garments on the rise

Premium garments are also preferred because of the high quality of materials used and their durability over the years. This has led to another new emerging market of pre-loved second-hand children's wear with resale value being extremely high for the premium brands on platforms such as eBay and Vinted.

Better quality brands use materials that are more expensive and durable with better washing and stitching and this can be sold or handed down to family and friends, much more than high=street brands. There has been increased demand for rental and subscription services for occasion=specific dressing from premium shops that offer rentals, such as Arket and Selfridges, new brands for specifically rental clothing for kids and many online brands with pick-up and take-back policies.

Increasing brand awareness about children’s clothes lines, rapid urbanization with well-paying city jobs and increased popularity of the post-Covid e-commerce sector are also supporting the kids' apparel industry. It may not be for everyone, but the industry will still thrive with those who can and will spend on luxury apparels for their little ones who deserve premium all the way through life as morning will show the coming day.

The apparel industry in Tunisia is showing promising signs of recovery as the country's textile and apparel exports continue to grow. The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy recently reported a 16.78% increase in exports during the first quarter of 2023, reaching TND 2,626.6 million.

This growth is particularly impressive as it surpasses the value of exports achieved in the same period of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, by 22.11% in dinars and 26.64% in euros.

March 2023 also saw a significant rise in exports, with a 16.72% increase to 926.4 million dinars and 14.38% to €278.2 million in euros. Trousers accounted for a significant proportion of ready-to-wear clothing exports, with a growth rate of 16.99% during the first quarter of 2023 to TND 646.2 million, equivalent to €193.9 million.

The European Union (EU) remains the primary market for Tunisian ready-to-wear clothing exports, particularly in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Exports to the EU reached almost €640.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, accounting for 81% of the sector's total exports and a 19.80% increase compared to 2022.

The growth of textile and apparel exports is a welcome relief for Tunisia's economy, which has been grappling with the impacts of the pandemic. The decrease in imports of ready-to-wear clothing by 51.11% to 58.1 MD and in quantity by 26.26% to 0.8 thousand tonnes compared to the same period of 2022 further highlights the positive trajectory of the industry.

The continued growth of the textile and apparel sector is crucial for the country's economic recovery and provides hope for the future.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Cambodia have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting and diversifying bilateral trade in the apparel industry.

The agreement is expected to remove tariffs, reduce non-tariff trade barriers, and promote trade in goods, services, and investment, providing a significant platform for global expansion.

In 2022, non-oil trade between the two countries in the apparel industry exceeded USD 401 million, representing a growth of 31% compared to 2021 and 146% more than the pre-Covid year of 2019. Bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) in the apparel industry had reached USD 3.8 million by the end of 2020. The CEPA is expected to strengthen East-West supply chains and offer apparel exporters an important opportunity to expand globally.

The Cambodian economy is one of the most promising in Southeast Asia, with 5.1% growth in 2022, and is expected to benefit from new opportunities for its key apparel exports, including apparel, footwear, and leather goods.

The UAE, on the other hand, is expected to benefit from new export opportunities in the apparel machinery industry, oils and lubricants, and cars and automotive parts, as well as investment opportunities in logistics and infrastructure, travel and tourism projects, and renewable energy.

The agreement will also serve as a catalyst for greater connectivity between ASEAN and the Arab World, which are among the most economically dynamic regions in the world.

UAE seeks to double the size of the economy from USD 381 billion to USD 762 billion by 2030. The UAE has now signed CEPAs with India, Israel, Indonesia, and Turkiye, and is set to conclude negotiations with other strategically important nations in the apparel industry in the coming weeks.

Cambodia has achieved bilateral FTAs with China and South Korea, and mega FTAs under ASEAN and RCEP, demonstrating their support for globalization by opening up international trade to ensure that cooperation is at the heart of sustainable and inclusive economic development.

The UAE-Cambodia CEPA is expected to lead, in alignment with Cambodia's consistent adherence to trade liberalization in the apparel industry.

The Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics fair, which will take place from 6-8 November 2023 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, will help industry players tap into the market recovery and regain international orders.

The fair has gained immense industry support, with over 880 exhibitors from eight countries and regions and over 42,000 visits from 26 countries and regions in its previous edition.

According to Research and Markets, the Chinese textile market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of over 5% from 2020-2026. Wilmet Shea, GM, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, is confident that the fair will continue to be an effective platform for participants to make the most of this promising market.

Shenzhen, China's fastest-growing city, is home to over 2,500 clothing brands, with the vast majority self-owned. Shenzhen's garment exports reached USD 7.6 billion in the first three quarters of 2022, increasing by 9.8% YoY, with a sharp rise in exports to ASEAN countries, the UK, and the US.

The fair’s fringe programme, including Intertextile Apparel's signature Trend Forum, seminars, and product presentations, will provide an ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest products to quality buyers from across the globe. With the return of international participation, participants can also maximise their trading opportunities by utilising the fair's online platform, Intertextile Hub.

The fair is held concurrently with Yarn Expo Shenzhen, CHIC GBA, and PH Value, offering the opportunity to source from the entire textile value chain.

Several companies, including Reliance Industries and MCPI, have expressed interest in acquiring debt-laden textile manufacturer Sumeet Industries, according to documents seen by ET.

The eight bidders have submitted interest and supporting documents, which will now be scrutinised by the resolution professional before formal bids are invited.

Sumeet, a Surat-based polyester and yarn maker, owes a total of INR6.67bn ($89m) to lenders and operational creditors led by Bank of Baroda.

The firm was admitted to bankruptcy court in December 2022 following a failed attempt to restructure its loans.

Vietnamese exporters are struggling to meet the green energy and carbon-emissions standards set by developed countries, which are being raised to ensure environmental sustainability.

This is one of several challenges that have caused Vietnam's exports to drop 11.8% year-on-year to over $79 billion in the first quarter. The United States, Vietnam’s biggest market, saw a drop of 19.4%, while Asia and Europe, other major markets, saw declines of 7.3% and 9.7% respectively. Main categories such as electronics, computers, smartphones, and garments all saw drops.

According to Minister of Industry, the new standards seem reasonable but are part of an unfair race in which developed countries have gotten so far ahead. Rising input costs, trade remedy investigations, and weak demand also contributed to the decrease. Ministery warned that without solutions to tackle these difficulties, Vietnam would fail to meet its exports target for this year and upcoming years.

Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association proposed that credit packages of zero-interest be given to companies to pay their employees amid difficulties. The package should cover up to six months of salary.

More trade promotions were also needed in countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and in the EU.

Japan experienced a surge in textile imports in the April 2022-March 2023 fiscal year, with a significant increase of 26.1% to $33.4 billion.

Textile yarn and fabric imports alone were valued at $11.8 billion, representing a 23.2% increase from the previous year, accounting for 1.1% of Japan's total imports. China was the primary source of textile yarn and fabric imports, accounting for $1.98 billion, up 10% from the previous fiscal year.

As the primary source of textile yarn and fabric imports to Japan, China has been benefiting from this surge in demand for textiles. Additionally, Japan's textile exports also saw notable growth in the same period, with textile yarn and fabric exports reaching $7.2 billion and textile machinery exports surging by 19.3% to $2.8 billion, contributing 0.3% to the country's total exports.

In March 2023, Japan's clothing and accessories imports increased by 22% to $3 billion, accounting for 3.4% of the total imports of $89.2 billion during the month. Meanwhile, textile yarn and fabric imports in March 2023 were valued at $1 billion, up 11.1% year-on-year, accounting for 1.1% of the country's total imports.

These statistics suggest that China has been playing a vital role in Japan's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through increased textile exports.

However, the surge in textile imports to Japan also highlights the country's growing demand for textiles, which presents an opportunity for Chinese textile manufacturers to expand their market share in Japan.

In a move to connect with the Chinese market, American clothing brand Gap has collaborated with a local label, Attempt, for its debut China collab.

Attempt is a relatively unknown brand, but its collaboration with Gap has allowed the brand to showcase its unique personality through elevated basics, featuring subtle hardware touches and moody tie-dye shades.

Attempt sees collaboration as a growth opportunity, enabling the brand to learn about its own internal obstacles while opening up future possibilities. The Wuhan-based label has previously collaborated with Vans, Descente, Puma, and Asics, and is set to release a collection with Ugg in China soon.

With Gap having sold its China business for $50 million, localized collections like this may become more frequent.

Supima, the marketing brand for American-grown Pima cotton, has announced the launch of its AQRe Project, a blockchain-based platform that assures the authenticity, quality, and responsibility of American-grown Pima cotton used in garments.

The platform will be introduced in July, and as many as 40 Indian textile mills have already registered on it. Globally, 130 spinners have registered on the platform so far.

With garment buyers worldwide increasingly prioritizing sustainability and traceability, the AQRe Project uses blockchain-based traceability and forensic science-based technology for authentication. Supima has nearly 550 licensees globally, including 60-70 in India, some of which are domestic brands.

The US is the largest producer of extra-long staple (ELS) variety Pima cotton, and India is its top buyer, procuring 35-45% of the cotton. The Pima cotton production for the 2023-2024 crop year is expected to be between 2.5 lakh-3 lakh bales, compared to 4.74 lakh bales in 2022-2023 and 3.4 lakh bales in 2021-2022. The floods in California have affected the current production. However, the current price is lower than the cost of production.

Supima's AQRe Project is expected to provide a much-needed solution for garment buyers and manufacturers seeking transparency and traceability in the Pima cotton supply chain. The platform's use of blockchain-based traceability and forensic science-based technology for authentication is a promising development for the textile industry and is likely to set a new standard for supply chain transparency and traceability.