To be held at the Dallas Market Center from Jan 27-29, 2024, the winter edition of the Dallas Men’s Show will feature over 750 brands with a record number of new and returning exhibitors, including 50 making their show debut.

To be held across multiple floors of the World Trade Center, the show will feature exhibitors showcasing outdoor-lifestyle brands in the temporaries section, as well as in the permanent men’s showrooms. 

Exhibitors in the temporaries section will include Temporary exhibitors will include 27 Miles Malibu, Birddogs, Current Elliot, Duck Camp, Eterna, Howler Brothers, Marsh Wear Clothing, MEY, Mizzen + Main, Orvis, Sendero Provisions, William Henry and Zelli Italia. On the other hand, the permanent showrooms will feature many notable brands including Notable brands in permanent showrooms include Dion Neckwear|DION, GenTeal, Indigo Agency, Martin Dingman, Epic Collective, Ken Power|Robert Graham, SynReps and Tommy Bahama, etc. 

A wide range of hospitality and networking events, including the Men’s Show party for drinks, music and networking will be held before the unveiling of the latest trending looks at the Dallas Men’s Show Fashion Show. A panel discussion titled, ‘Uniformly Speaking’ on workwear trends in changing office environment will he hosted by MR Magazine.

Tarun Jain Bawa, Chairman, Bahadurke Textile and Knitwear Association and Federation of Textile and Manufacturing Association of Ludhiana, has accused the state government of inaction against the influx of an under-billed Chinese cloth in the state. 

Bawa highlights, subject to a 25 per cent import duty, filament polyester cloth is being wrongly imported as cotton fabric in the state with a 5 per cent duty from China. This is resulting in a direct tax evasion of 20 per cent, he points out. 

Questioning the possibility of such actions with the involvement of customs officials, Bawa reveals multiple attempts to address the issue with the Government of India have been unsuccessful.

Adding weight to these claims, another Ludhiana-based textile manufacturer alleges, polyster fabric, currently priced at Rs 320 per kg was being sold as cotton fabric for Rs 80 per kg in the state. Approximately 500 containers each carrying 22,000 kg of this fabric enter India on average, he adds. 

The government failure to contain the arrival of under-billed polyester in India is making survival difficult for Indian textile manufacturers, Bawa adds.

British luxury fashion house Burberry expects operating profit for FY24 upto March to be in the range of £410 million to £460 million as against an earlier forecast of £552 million to £668 million. The brand is being hurt by a slump in luxury demand triggered by the deflation of a boom in high-end spending that peaked during the pandemic.

Sales of the fashion house to the end of December declined by 7 per cent to £706 million, compared with £756 million for the same period in 2022.

The end-of-year slowdown has hit Burberry’s US retail sales hard, with store sales declining by15 per cent in its third quarter compared with the same period the previous year, with store sales in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa falling 5 per cent.

Along with Burberry, other industry players including Richemont and LVMH have also being hit by a slowdown in luxury spending. 

Amidst a sluggish global economic landscape, South Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing region among emerging markets and developing economies. Fueled by India's powerhouse performance, with growth projected at 6.3 per cent in 2023-24 and 6.4 per cent in 2024-25, the region offers a beacon of hope, indicates World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report.

Indeed, India, driven by robust investments and vibrant services, remains the undisputed regional champion. However, a closer look reveals a diverse picture across South Asia, with both promising opportunities and lurking challenges.

Bangladesh: While growth dipped to 5.6 per cent in 2023 due to import restrictions and rising costs, a moderate rebound is projected for 2024. However, inflation and currency concerns, as highlighted by the World Bank, remain pressing issues.

Pakistan: After a drop in 2023 due to high inflation and currency depreciation, Pakistan's outlook remains subdued. Growth in 2024 is expected to hover around 4 per cent, with tight fiscal and monetary policies dampening expansion.

Sri Lanka: Mired in debt restructuring negotiations, the island nation's economic future hangs in the balance. Finding a sustainable solution will be crucial for Sri Lanka's recovery.

Maldives and Bhutan: These two nations offer bright spots. Tourism investments are expected to boost growth in the Maldives by 4.5 per cent in 2024, while Bhutan's commissioning of a new hydro plant promises 7.2 per cent growth in 2024.

Risks and Opportunities 

However, despite positive growth indicators, South Asia's road ahead isn't without its bumps. The World Bank warns of global headwinds like rising energy and food prices, tighter financial conditions, and geopolitical tensions, all posing significant risks. Domestic uncertainties surrounding elections in some countries add to the mix.

Amidst these challenges lie immense opportunities. South Asia's youthful population, rising consumption, and focus on infrastructure development offer a springboard for sustained growth. Implementing growth-friendly policies that attract investments, particularly in climate-friendly initiatives, will be crucial.

A Call to Action

Economic expansion is just one part of the bigger puzzle. South Asia faces the daunting task of tackling broader challenges like debt burdens, food insecurity, and climate change. Indermit Gill, World Bank's Chief Economist, warns without swift action, the 2020s could be a "decade of wasted opportunity." Boosting investment in climate-friendly initiatives and tackling these broader issues is essential for South Asia's long-term success and its contribution to global progress.

Policymakers and stakeholders across the region must seize this moment. By embracing the opportunities, navigating challenges and investing in a sustainable future, South Asia can not only secure its own economic future but also become a model for responsible and inclusive development on the global stage. The time for action is now.