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Bangladesh is unable to take advantage of shifting work orders from China. China’s market share in the global apparel trade has been declining over the last few years because of a dearth of skilled workers and the manufacturing shift towards high-end and technological products. Its market share last year was 36.7 per cent, down eight per cent year-on-year.
Some of these shifted orders were received by some other countries like Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Bangladesh is the second largest apparel supplier worldwide after China. One reason it could not take advantage of the shift in work orders is a shortage of capacity. While the number of garment factories was supposed to increase due to abundant work orders from western world, China, Japan and some other emerging markets, it did not pan out that way.
After the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013, the garment sector has not witnessed any major domestic investment except for the expansion of existing units by big garment companies. Also, more than 1,000 small factories faced closure due to strict inspection and remediation by Accord and Alliance. As a result, a capacity shortage has been created.
Bangladesh is therefore receiving a small quantity of work orders that are being diverted from China but the country is hopeful volume of such work orders will rise in the near future.
The Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC) encourages women to take up career in the apparel industry and makes efforts to nurture their talent, skills and dedication. There is visible recognition of women’s contribution in the apparel/fashion/retail sectors. There is recognition that when women join the workforce, the country progresses rapidly and their contribution to productivity increases the GDP of the country and the economic well-being of families. For women in general apparel manufacturing, design etc. are seen to be ideal jobs.
The institute has received an award from the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India for contributing to the development of women’s skills in the country.
ATDC is India’s largest quality vocational training provider for the apparel industry with over 200 centers pan India which offer the entire range of apparel-related vocational courses. These include 65 ATDC vocational institutes and over 135 ATDC-SMART centers and skill camps offering state-of the- art vocational programs. ATDC is probably the single largest training provider for any vocation in India and the single largest beneficiary or nodal agency for implementation of a government’s skill development scheme.
The courses are focused on the downstream apparel export and domestic manufacturing industries. Apparel Training and Design Centre has a mission to upgrade the technical skills of the human resources employed in the garment industry.
American Apparel, the iconic North American fashion brand that rose to stardom for its ‘Made in Los Angeles’ clothing and infamously fell into bankruptcy in 2015, is back in business. The brand has replenished its most in-demand apparel basics on an updated e-commerce website that looks almost identical to the old one. The fashion retailer is reconsidering its initial product pitch.
American Apparel is now shifting focus towards ethical production and dedicates sections on its website that talk about ‘green’ energy, healthcare prospects for workers and a more diverse marketing agenda in general. With credit to new ‘Globally Made’ approach, American Apparel’s product assortments, which have been dialed down to a curated set of AA Bestsellers at the moment, are being offered at much cheaper prices.
The brand is still trying to give America a chance by selling a series of identical product twins where one is made in the US and the other is ‘imported’. These will be displayed side by side on a brand-new page on their website. Although the American products are far more expensive and offer fewer options in terms of colours, the industry is keenly watching American Apparel’s endeavour as it has become a testing ground for the world to see if people actually want to buy local or not.
India has imposed an anti- dumping duty on 93 products including chemicals and machinery items imported from China. The other Chinese products on which India has imposed this duty include steel and other metals; fibers and yarns; rubber and plastic; electric and electronics; and consumer goods. In addition, 40 cases concerning imports from China have been initiated by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties.
India's exports to China include iron ore, cotton yarn, petroleum products, copper and chemicals, while imports include telecom instruments, electronic components, computer hardware, industrial machinery and chemicals.
Countries impose anti-dumping duties to guard domestic industry from a surge in below-cost imports. Anti-dumping steps are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products. India’s imports from China in 2016-17 have marginally dipped to $61.28 billion as compared to $61.7 billion in 2015-16.
India may impose an anti- dumping duty on castings for wind-operated power generators from China on the grounds the product has been exported to India from China at below normal value. Duties may also be imposed on a certain variety of Chinese pneumatic radial tires.
"As one of the largest printing markets in the world, textile industry has been offering newer avenues of growth to new age printing. Owing to its inherent advantages such as higher colour definition, shorter design time and lower production cost, the textile industry is witnessing winds of change. In this regard, Digital Printing Zone at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will host more number of exhibitors, a series of seminars and the debut Digital Printing Micro Factory to reflect growing interest in the industry."
As one of the largest printing markets in the world, textile industry has been offering newer avenues of growth to new age printing. Owing to its inherent advantages such as higher colour definition, shorter design time and lower production cost, the textile industry is witnessing winds of change. In this regard, Digital Printing Zone at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will host more number of exhibitors, a series of seminars and the debut Digital Printing Micro Factory to reflect growing interest in the industry. The exhibition, to be held from August 23- 26, will host over 1,200 exhibitors, presenting the full range of home textile products including upholstery fabrics, bedding & towelling, carpets & rugs, sun protection systems & curtain accessories, wallcoverings, original textile designs and digital printing solutions.
Digital printing micro factory
To enhance learning experience, the show will feature the Digital Printing Micro Factory for the first time, where four leading domestic companies will demonstrate the entire processing line from design software and printing machines to ink and final products. Being a leading Chinese large-format digital printing solutions providers, Twinjet Technology Development, specialises digital textile printers. They obtained support from brands like Dimatix and Ricoh to ensure printing quality and stability. Wuxi Pengda Science & Technology will present latest separation style hot transfer printing machine and automatic flat hot transfer printing machine in the Micro Factory. Apart from machines, sublimation transfer paper is another essential element throughout the digital printing process. Transfer Innovative Material (Suzhou) will showcase their highlighted transfer paper wherein customers can simply print patterns on the coated paper and heat transfer to most kinds of fabrics. The last member, Kushan Caidu Digital Printing, will illustrate their processing service in the Micro Factory.
Concurrent events
The 2017 Andrew Martin International Interior Design Summit will be held on the first two days where nine experts from interior design, architecture and art will discuss the transformation of design in new information era. There will be a Home Furnishing Crossover Exhibition where 40 designers and artists use furniture and installation art to illustrate new home living styles. Banking on last year’s success, Trevira will showcase inherently flame retardant fabrics and will invite visitors to create their own mood board with Trevira CS fabrics in a series of workshops.
Underlying themes
This year, China Home Textile Association, The Department of Home Textile Trend Research and Promotion, Concept & Style Fashion Project Group Italy have worked jointly to analyse global and domestic market together with consumer behaviour. From this, four themes were developed to express the 2018/19 Chinese home textiles trends: Down to earth: The tension generated by the increasing pervasiveness of digital screens and their sterility, leads to research an earthy connection, with roots and experience in nature. Connected senses: The digital revolution began with the transformation and transposition of an increasing number of ‘real life’ activities in expressible functions through digital entities. No borders: The multifaceted urban contest and the network are changing the way we perceive communities, identities and the way we pass a cultural substance. Re-thinker: We are in a period of transition, we eliminate the excesses to come to the lightness of being. We discover again the value of timeless classics, which are reinvented for the future.
To provide visitors with concrete ideas on trend concept and encourage companies to develop new products, the show will select products from exhibitors, which resonate the four trend themes presented in the Trend Area.
Global textile market is growing at a rapid pace. As a result, all segments related to textiles are growing as well. Here’s a sneak peek into the growth landscape of some of the promising textile segments that are slated to make a mark…
According to MRFR analysis, the global textile chemicals market size was estimated at $9.80 million in 2016, expected to expand at CAGR of over 3.2 per cent by 2022. Global apparel industry is expected to drive the market during this period. Increasing demand for technical textile across numerous end-use applications is also expected to be beneficial for overall market growth. Good qualities are used into technical textile products as compared to their conventional counterparts. Demand for technical apparel is increasing in the US amongst end-use industries such as home furnishings, apparel, industrial textiles, technical textiles the demand for specialty chemicals required for is production has also enlarged.
Textile colourant market
Textile colourant market is projected to increase to 6,248,000 tonnes in 2017. Demand is anticipated to remain steady due to growing applications in apparel and automotive industries. Owing to low labour costs and infrastructure development, demand is expected to remain higher in developing countries, among which Asia Pacific accounted 53 per cent revenue share in 2014. China colourants market is anticipated to grow at 5.2 per cent in value terms during this period. Excluding Japan, Asia Pacific remains the largest market for textile colourants globally expected to grow to 925.5000 tonnes in 2017.
Nonwovens
Global nonwovens market will grow to $50.8 billion in 2020, up from $37.4 billion in 2015, reveals Smithers Pira study. Global consumption in 2015 was 9.0 million tons and this will increase at annual rate of 6.2 and 7.2 per cent respectively over the next few years with consumption scheduled to reach 12.1 million tonnes in 2020. The nonwoven industry is now truly global and Asia is the dominant nonwoven producing region, accounting for 42 per cent of world’s production in 2014. China accounts for a significant 66 per cent of Asia volume and is the most important nonwovens producer worldwide with production volume in 2014 estimated at 2.4 million tonnes and increasing gradually.
Silk
A recent report highlights global silk market is projected to reach $16.94 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 7.8 per cent from 2016 to 2021. Growth can be attributed to technological advancements in sericulture, which directly increases yield of silk, thereby affecting the silk market. Moreover, silk is a low capital investment industry, in terms of technology and labour, which is driving the market globally. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for silk. China dominates the silk market in the Asia-Pacific region followed by India due to easy availability of raw silk in the two countries.
Hosiery
Technavio’s market research predicts global hosiery market will grow at a CAGR of around 4 per cent. Consumers are looking for quality, durability, fit, style, and glamour while purchasing hosiery products. Increasing concern about personal grooming and appearance is one of the major market drivers. In terms of revenue, the socks segment dominated the global hosiery market in 2015 with a share of more than 69 per cent.
Technical textiles
Future Market Insights’ recent report on global technical textiles market projects Asia-Pacific will be the world’s largest for technical textiles from period 2017-2027. The report values the global technical textiles market at little less than $166 bn, and anticipates it to reach $260.3 bn by end of 2027. While global market for technical textiles is projected to grow at below average pace and register a CAGR of 4.6 per cent, demand is likely to gain traction across Asia-Pacific such as India and China, among others.
Chinese companies are making acquisitions and spreading out. In 2016, textile producer Shandong Ruyi bought majority stake in SMCP, the French group that owns affordable luxury brands Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot. Shandong has also acquired British trench coat maker Aquascutum and a minority stake in St. John by Fosun.
Chinese fashion and apparel company Shenzhen Ellassay Fashion acquired French brand Iro in March. It has also acquired a majority stake in New York-based Chinese-American designer Vivienne Tam’s brand. The company plans to open the first Vivienne Tam store in mainland China later this year, with more to come in 2018.
Vivienne Tam’s sales are currently concentrated in Japan, where she has over 14 shops, and Hong Kong, as well as the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. She retains sole ownership of her company outside of China.
Shenzhen Ellassay Fashion also owns the Chinese mid-market brand Ellassay as well as the rights to German women’s wear brand Laurèl and the rights to American apparel brand Ed Hardy. In fiscal 2016, revenue for the group grew 36 per cent while net income grew 24 per cent. These acquisitions surely reflect China is transforming itself from an export-dependent economy to a consumption-driven one.
Iconic American denim brand, Wrangler, has joined the ‘Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture’ group. It’s a multi-stakeholder initiative working to increase supply chain sustainability around natural resources. It focuses on cotton-growing practices that will improve profitability for growers while reducing environmental impact.
Wrangler is the first major apparel brand to join the initiative and follows the brand’s launch last month of a pilot project for sustainable US cotton. The project involves farmers who will work with Wrangler and Soil Health Institute to improve cotton yield, irrigation, energy inputs, greenhouse gas emissions and soil conservation. Nearly 40,000 pounds of cotton from this source will be used to make a special collection of Wrangler denim jeans that will be sold in 2018. The company buys about 50 per cent of its cotton from US growers.
Wrangler’s sustainability work is focused on three areas: land, people and industry. In addition to the cotton pilot project and soil health education, other programs include a commitment to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025, zero waste facilities and manufacturing and technology improvements that have saved three billion liters of water over the past decade.
Sourcing at Magic will be held in the US from August 13 to 16, 2017. With over 40 countries participating, Sourcing at Magic offers an incredible source of inspiration, education and resources that keeps the fashion industry moving and drives businesses. The event is the fashion industry’s link to the entire global supply chain.
Over 40 of Vietnam’s best manufacturers and resources will be at the forefront of the show in this edition. Attendees will have the opportunity to see textiles, fibers, and garments from Vietnamese factories. Magic chose Vietnam as the focus country because of the country’s rapid growth in export manufacturing. In addition, Sourcing at Magic will host a Vietnam-focused seminar giving more background and exposure to the country’s capabilities and advancements. Vietnam has become a leading force in the US’ supply chain.
Square One is a new interactive shared space. It will showcase cultural trends and leading innovators behind the trends for Fall/Winter 2018-’19. The space will come to life through experience, live on-site installations, real time art creation and talks by creative trailblazers. Attendees will have the opportunity to see artists physically demonstrate the feel and influence of four cultural trends while engaging everyone in the creative process.
Retail apparel prices in the US decreased for the fourth consecutive month in June, dropping 0.3 per cent relative to the value posted in May. Year-over-year, retail apparel prices were 1.7 per cent lower in June. Seasonally-adjusted prices per square meter of imported cotton-dominant apparel edged slightly higher in June. Over the past 12 months, average sourcing costs have been generally stable. Despite low sourcing costs, import volumes have been declining.
Spending on apparel was 0.2 per cent higher month-over-month and 2.7 per cent higher year-over-year in June. This marked the fourth consecutive month of increased apparel spending, after two consecutive decreases were registered in the first two months of the year.
The US economy expanded at a 2.6 per cent annual rate between April and June. The acceleration in GDP growth in the second quarter was primarily a result of improved inventory investment, stronger consumer spending, and higher federal government spending.
Inventory investment was slightly lower in the second quarter than it was in the first quarter, decreasing from 2.7 per cent to 2.6 per cent. Nonetheless, consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 per cent of GDP, accelerated in the second quarter, improving from 1.9 per cent in the first quarter to 2.8 per cent in the second quarter.
