A Forrestor report released in April 2020, predicted global retail industry to have gone through a fundamental shift with sales declining by 9.6 per cent or $3.1 trillion due to the pandemic.

The world also witnessed a sharp drop in consumer spending on fashion, and beauty during the year. Instead of visiting stores, consumers scrolled through social media channels to improve their engagement with apparel and fashion brands. However, brands found it challenging to convert this to actual sales as consumers restrained from discretionary spending.

As per experts, these shifts in consumer spending are likely to persist in a post-pandemic future as consumers become accustomed to online shopping.

For organized, enriched and channel-neutral information

In 2021, retailers are likely to become more agile as they embrace the omnichannel route for sales. They are likely to adopt the robust product information management (PIM) solution which will provide them with organized, enriched and channel-neutral product information. This will help them extend product delivery across the web, mobile, social media, in-stores, and other third-party channels and engage customers with a seamless omnichannel experience.

By centralizing all product information, a PIM solution will help retailers manage inventory, both for offline and online distribution channels, with ease and accuracy. It will also enable them locate the right products for processing orders, update stock regularly to match sales and return figures, and answer customers’ questions on product availability.

Appealing to shoppers’ preferences through new solutions

Retailers are also likely to incorporate immersive solutions to connect the real and the virtual worlds. They will useinnovative technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to establish an emotional connection with consumers and appeal to their shopping preferences. Implementation of AR/VR in the fashion retail space helps these retailers prioritize customer safety while powering D-to-C channels for highly optimized and immersive buying experiences through in-store navigation, smart mirrors, contactless virtual try-on, and prolific personalization of products.

The PIM solution offers helps retailers to bring content, commerce, and community together to push consistent, high-quality data to various output channel, It helps them align next-generation digital capabilities with the critical security, production prowess, and business agility.

To cater to changing consumer expectations and allay their fears, fashion and retailers plan to offer a contactless or touch-free retail experience. PIM helps them achieve this goal by introducing new omnichannel strategies

Held from March 17-19, 2021 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, the 2021 Yarn Expo Spring focused on smart recycling technologies and customization. The meticulously planned expo managed to meet the multi-functional demands of its consumers. Yarn producers attending the expo, deliberated on the current downward spiral of yarn prices.

As recycled chemical fiber plants do not have a large inventory currently, they continue to execute previous orders. These plants are waiting for the downstream demand to improve, and prices to stabilize. However, plants manufacturing recycled polyester filament yarn and colored recycled staple fiber, opined,prices of high-end re-PSF are unlikely to improve as they have limited added value.

Participants at the expo expected the market for 3A-grade white flakes to improve as international brands have strengthened their presence in the market. Big polyester plants have also entered the recycled market to fulfill their procurement needs.

Launch of new products

Participants also focused on new products like rose fiber which is made from rose scent and known to be anti-oxidant. The fragrance of this fabric lasts for 5-10 years. The fabric costs over RMB10,000 per piece and its shoulders are cold-proof. The filling content of the double quilt made from this fabric is different for men and women.

Another product launched at this expo included imported goose down which costs more than RMB 800,000 per tonne. A single winter quilt made from this fiber weighs 1,200 grams and costs more than RMB 300,000.

Focus on recycled nylon

In addition to recycled polyester, this year, Yarn Expo also focused on recycled nylon. Currently produced only on orders, high-end recycled nylon fiber is 50 per cent more expensive than the ordinary fibers. The overall output of recycled nylon fibers is less than 20,000-30,000 tons.

Manufacturers of zippers and webbing in accessories focused on environmental protection concepts. Sustainable products such as recycled fabric, organic cotton, and Tencel fabric were also introduced at the expo.

Future trends

The expo also deliberated on the 14th Five-Year Plan which focuses on six types of consumption; information consumption, digital consumption, green consumption, customized consumption, experiential consumption and fashion consumption. In addition, it also pointed out to the rise of high-end Chinese brands in the fields of cosmetics, garments, home textiles and electronic products.

Third quarter revenues of Nike Inc fell short of Wall Street estimates as the brand grappled with supply chain problems in North America and a slump in sales at brick-and-mortar stores shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As per data from Refinite, revenues of the world's largest sportswear maker rose to $10.36 billion from $10.1 billion during the year while analysts had expected them to rise to $11.02 billion.

The brand’s net income climbed to $1.45 billion or 90 cents per share from $847 million, or 53 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts had expected income to rise to 76 cents per share.

The brand’s revenues in North America fell by 11 per cent on a currency-neutral basis where container shortages and U.S. port congestion held up inventory by more than three weeks and delayed shipments to retailers.

In Europe, the Middle East and the Africa region, 45 per cent of Nike-owned stores were closed for parts of the last two months of the quarter. Currently, 65 percent of stores in EMEA are open or operating on reduced hours,

The government plans to increase production of its 50 man-made fiber and technical textile product categories.

Through the Rs 10,683-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, India intends to grab a share in this pie. According to the draft PLI program, known as the “Focus Product Incentive Scheme”, India accounted for 4.3 per cent (or $35.5 billion) of global exports of textiles and apparel in 2019 but its share in the man-made fiber segment was much lower at 2.8 per cent ($9.3 billion). In fact, products based on man-made fibers made up for only 26 per cent of India’s exports, compared with almost 5 per cent% in China and 49% in Vietnam.

In fact, India’s exports of products in the 40 apparel categories, which are targeted under the PLI scheme, stood at just $1.1 billion in 2019, against $140 billion globally. Importantly, Bangladesh’s exports of these products were as much as $7.3 billion and Vietnam’s $14.8 billion.

As reported by FE, the PLI scheme for textiles marks a paradigm shift in the government’s decision-making on two counts. First, it earmarks big bucks for big companies, shedding its long and costly bias towards small businesses. Second, it seeks to correct India’s historical policy preference for a cotton-dominated value chain, which is contrary to the global trend. The idea is to reclaim India’s export markets after ceding substantial ground to Bangladesh and Vietnam in recent years.

As per figures revealed by OTEXA, kidswear imports by the US fell by 9.67 per cent in January ’21.

The country imported $ 214.22 million worth of kidswear in the first month of 2021 as compared to $ 237.14 million imported during January ’20, reports Sourcing Journal.

Weight-wise, US’ imports declined by 5.28 per cent on Y-o-Y basis to 11.04 million kg. And, the per kg price of the shipment valued $19.40 in January ’21 as compared to $20.55 in January ’20.

As far as major destinations are concerned, China plunged in value-wise shipment to USA in kidswear segment, while it noted growth in weight-wise exports.

Imports from Bangladesh declined both in values and weight of the kidswear shipment on Y-o-Y basis.

India saw a miniscule decline in value-wise shipment to the US in while weight of its exports also declined marginally by just under 2 per cent.

On the other hand, imports from Vietnamincreased both in values and weight.

Adidas has launched its first collection in partnership with fitness brand Peloton As per Fashion Network, the Adidas x Peloton SS21 collection includes tanks, tights, shorts, hoodies, tees, crewnecks, sports bras, and joggers, available from $30-$85 via the Adidas and Peloton websites and in select Peloton showrooms.

The collection has been created in collaboration with Peloton instructors Ally Love, Robin Arzón and Cody Rigsby. The three instructors were involved in the design process to help develop a co-creation model. Together, the teams worked to produce styles and fits rooted in inclusivity and crafted with quality performance technology for high energy workouts, plus comfort for relaxed recovery days”.

Reflecting the’90s attitude, the collection features bold, neon hues such as ‘Screaming Pink’, and inspirational text graphics”. It is also size-inclusive with a range of sizing from XS-2X and designs spanning men’s, women’s, and unisex.

The marketing campaign for the collection includes a series of on-demand classes, available on the Peloton Bike, Bike+ and the Peloton App starting March 18. A live class celebrating the collection drop will take place on March 25.

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Singapore's Emergency Arbitrator's (EA) order restraining Future Retail (FRL) from going ahead with its Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Retail to sell its business.

As per Economic Times, Justice J R Midha directed Future Retail to stall the deal and deposit Rs 20 lakh in Prime Minister's Relief Fund for providing COVID-19 vaccines to senior citizens of Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

The court directed the presence of Biyani and others before it on April 28 besides attaching their properties.

The high court's order came on Amazon's plea seeking direction to order enforcement of the award by Singapore's EA on October 25, 2020, restraining FRL from going ahead with its Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Retail.

Amazon, in its interim plea, has sought to restrain FRL from taking any steps to complete the transaction with entities that are a part of the MukeshDhirubhaiAmbani (MDA) Group.

Despite facing extraordinary challenges in fiscal year 2020, Levi Strauss & Co kept its focus on operating with a direct-to-consumer first mindset, diversifying its portfolio by driving outsized growth in under-penetrated areas and digitally transforming our business.

Since its inception 168 years ago, Levi Strauss & Co weathered many storms including wars, economic recessions, natural disasters, and the second major global pandemic. From the start of the pandemic, its teams acted quickly to protect its employees, consumers and business, all while positioning ourselves to meet the accelerated changes that will shape the next decade.

Levi Strauss & Co. is an American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in May 1853 when German immigrant Levi Strauss moved from Buttenheim, Bavaria, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business. Although the corporation is registered in Delaware, the company's corporate headquarters is located in Levi's Plaza in San Francisco.

Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, INDA will hold the physical edition of its 15th annual World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference from July 12-15 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Georgia.

In this conference, WOW will explore the debate between the growing use of plastic in wipes, new developments in sustainability, growing emphasis on cleanliness brought on by COVID-19, emerging markets, regulatory changes, etc

This year’s event will open with a day and a half devoted to the WIPES Academy training and a Welcome Reception onsite. WOW will feature three days of cutting-edge conference program content, two days of tabletop displays, plus presentations from the three finalists and the announcement of the 2021 World of Wipes Innovation Award® as its finale.

The program also includes over 11 hours of face-to-face networking time to form new relationships and strengthen existing bonds over breakfasts and session breaks, the Welcome Reception, and other events to connect with industry peers.

The first session of presentations on July 13 will focus on issues related to new European Union (EU) regulations on single-use plastics and their impact on the North American wipes market.

Experts providing the latest insights on this vital topic include Anna Gergely, PhD, Director – EHS Regulatory, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, who will speak on Recent Developments Under the EU Green Deal and Plastics Strategy – Update on the Impact of the Pandemic.

Providing the perspective on the proposed Canadian plastic regulatory approach will be Karyn Schmidt, Senior Director, Chemical Regulation, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, American Chemistry Council (ACC) while Andrew Hackman, Principal Lobbyist, Serlin Haley, will talk about plastic policies in the various states within the US.

Though retail sales in the US declined by 3 per cent M-o-M basis in February, they increased by 2.2 per cent on Y-o-Y basis as compared to February 2019. As per the US Census Bureau retail report, apparel and accessories sales declined by 14.9 per cent in the same year-over-year comparison. Sales at department stores also declined by 17.9 per cent, says a Forbes report. Retailers now hope for Easter to boost pre-holiday sales in March.

Vaccine effectiveness and distribution directly impacts the economy Surge in vaccination rates and reopening of economy are expected to boost retail sales by around 8.2 per cent toover $4.33 trillion in 2021, says a report by National Retail Federation. Increase in vaccination will encourage shoppers to shop in physical stores and dine out.

Consumers will also be driven to increase their apparel expenditures due to their travel plans. Almost 68 per cent of millennials and 65 per cent of Gen Z have planned a trip abroad as compared to 57 per cent of Gen X and 42 per cent of baby boomers.

Barbara Rentler, CEO, Ross Stores expects its comparable store sales to strengthen over the year. As a result, the retailer plans to open approximately 60 new stores during fiscal 2021.

The return of typical weather patterns is driving apparel sales in North America, says Richard. A Hayne, CEO, Urban Outfitters. However, despite unfavorable weather in the first three weeks of February 2021, overall comparable store sales trend in the country was better than the fourth quarter trend of Fiscal 2020, noted TJX Companies.

Buying clothes and planning vacations

As per survey by Sezzle, a buy-now-pay-later solution provider, 39 per cent of respondents plan to take 2 to 3 vacations in 2021, with 76 per cent planning at least one vacation. Higher travel spends promote purchasing in apparel and accessories. The survey included 61 per cent respondents from the Gen Z and millennial generations and 39 per cent from Gen X and Baby Boomers. The top categories surveyed included clothing, shoes, beauty and jewelry.

Apparel’s slow recovery going forward

Ethan Chernofsky, Vice President-Marketing, Sezzle, says, the apparel sector was trending closely with overall retail visits in early January before severe weather conditions throughout the country depressed visits significantly. February has been a difficult month as severe weather patterns negatively impacted the North American business. However, post February. Urban Outfitters is seeing signs of improvement, especially in stores located in warmer climates.

February starts the spring season for many retailers

Though there are many signs of a positive trend for apparel and accessories, the continuing unpredictable environment has halted expansion plans of many retailers. COVID related factors are also impacting their future prospects. Hence, most retailers are comparing their 2021 sales to those recorded in 2019 as they do not deem 2020 sales to be suitable for comparisons.