The US imports nearly all of its clothing. In 2014, the US clothing import market reached a record high in terms of both monetary value and volume of clothing and textiles produced. The average price of US clothes imports fell for the third year in a row. China remains the biggest clothing supplier to the US. However, the US is now looking to diversify clothing imports. China is still one of the world’s top producers of cotton, so unlike its rival such as Vietnam it does not have to worry about sourcing cotton for its garment producing industries. Yet, production costs in the region are rising.

Bangladesh, another garment-producing country, offers lower wages for its workers than China. But since the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse and with political tensions within the region, there has been a drop in investment in the Bangladeshi garment export industry. Africa is being cited as the new horizon from which garments can be sourced. Countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya have successfully integrated their industries along the textile supply chain, creating textile and garment market opportunities at every stage in the production process.

But for now demand for better wages and living conditions in developing countries may have an impact on the cheap clothing market in the US.