Recognition for branding brilliance

Along with other 9 brands, Forest Essentials received this recognition at a grand ceremony held on the 28th at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

Significance of the Superbrands Award

The Superbrands organization, renowned globally as an independent authority and arbiter of branding brilliance, is dedicated to honoring exceptional brands and fostering the discipline of branding. The accolade is a testament to the relentless pursuit of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction that each of the winning brands epitomizes.

CEO Neeraj Teckchandani's Perspective

In his strategic perspective on the recognition, Apparel Group CEO Neeraj Teckchandani stated, "Receiving this prestigious Award is both an honor and a valuable affirmation of our strategic commitment to excellence and innovation. This recognition underscores our relentless pursuit of delivering unparalleled quality and value, reflecting the strength and resilience of our brand portfolio. I am immensely proud of our dedicated team, whose consistent efforts enhance our brand's reputation and strategically position us for continued growth and success in the competitive global market."

Forest Essentials' Commitment to Excellence

This award bear witness to Forest Essentials’ exceptional ability to grow and exceed in the competitive market, reinforcing its status as a leading brand in the global fashion and lifestyle industry. The award demonstrates Forest Essentials’ unique ability to resonate with consumers, offering products and experiences that stand out in the marketplace.

Apparel Group's Expertise in Nurturing Brands

This recognition capitalizes on Apparel Group's exceptional ability to nurture and grow brands in the competitive market, further solidifying their position in the global market.

Festive Shopping to Boost Indian Economy This festive season, Indians are planning to spend more than ever, as per a recent report by UBS released on Wednesday. 

The report, which surveyed 2,000 Indians from 10 cities, found that 70% of them intend to increase their spending, with an average rise of 15% this year. Cash Payments Preferred over Digital The report also showed a preference for cash payments over digital ones, with the former increasing from 27% to 35% and the latter decreasing from 71% to 58%. This indicates a tendency to buy more local and offline products, which could support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” campaign. Local Businesses to Benefit The preference for cash payments is also a boon for local businesses, which may not accept digital payments. Moreover, the rise in festive spending is expected to stimulate the Indian economy. Recommendations for Businesses The UBS report has several implications for businesses. 

First, businesses should offer attractive deals and discounts during the festive season to lure customers. 

Second, businesses should facilitate cash payments, especially for local customers. 

Third, businesses should invest in marketing and advertising campaigns to reach out to potential customers during the festive season. 

Summary The UBS report suggests that Indians are eager to splurge on festive shopping this year, with a growing inclination to buy local and offline products. This is a positive sign for the Indian economy and could increase the sales of local businesses.

ReHubs Europe, a new international non-profit organization dedicated to boosting textile recycling, was launched at a kick-off meeting hosted by Mango. The launch follows three years of intense preparation and the publication of a Techno-Economic Study that analyzed the business case, cost, and environmental benefits of upscaling textile waste recycling in Europe.

Mission and Goals

ReHubs Europe will gather key players from the textile value chain, including textile manufacturers, fashion brands, collectors and recyclers, the chemical industry, and technology providers. The organization's joint ambition is to recycle 2.5 million tons of textile waste by 2030. This will require up to 250 industrial projects across Europe, covering different types of fiber-to-fiber recycling.

Industry Response

ReHubs Europe is the industry's response to the upcoming EU legislation, which sets compulsory collection and sorting of textile waste by 2025. The organization aims to upscale recycling capacity and bring together different players from the value chain to work together.

Leadership

ReHubs Europe will be led by Executive Director Chris Deloof, who has long-standing experience in the textile sector and is a passionate advocate for cross-industry collaboration. Deloof is also deeply committed to driving the transition towards a circular economy, which aligns seamlessly with ReHubs Europe's mission.

Industry Support

Euratex President Alberto Paccanelli expressed his satisfaction with the launch of ReHubs Europe, stating that the initiative proves the textile industry's commitment to moving towards a new circular business model. Paccanelli also thanked Robert van de Kerkhof (Lenzing) and Mauro Scalia (EURATEX) for their work in achieving this landmark.

Membership

ReHubs Europe is open to any companies that wish to invest in textile waste recycling in Europe. The organization will operate from Brussels in close partnership with EURATEX.

In anticipation of the extraordinary Council meeting on October 6th in Granada, Alberto Paccanelli, President of EURATEX, and Jose Vte Serna, President of CIE, have jointly urged the EU Presidency to devise a fresh competitiveness strategy. This strategy is seen as crucial for reviving the European industry and ensuring its competitiveness in the coming decades. The proposed approach integrates trade, energy, state aid, and sustainability policies into a unified framework, aimed at bolstering a modern European manufacturing sector.

To fortify Europe's industrial foundation, the leaders emphasize three key points: securing a cost-competitive supply of clean energy, fostering innovation and nurturing a skilled workforce, and advocating for a level-playing field on sustainability globally.

They criticize the disjointed and conflicting objectives witnessed in recent years across trade, energy, industrial, and sustainability policies. The leaders warn that such inconsistencies may push European industry out of the market, potentially leading to de-industrialization and increased vulnerability to geopolitical challenges.

In light of this, they stress the need for a coherent set of policies that prioritize the competitiveness of Europe's domestic industry, including the textile sector. They propose expanding the scope of the Net-Zero Industry Act to encompass textiles and clothing, recognizing the industry's historical significance and its role in providing essential products across various sectors.

The European textile and clothing industry, with its 1.3 million direct jobs and diverse applications from fashion to automotive, aircraft, construction, and personal protective equipment, is deemed crucial to Europe's social and economic fabric. The leaders underscore the importance of maintaining Europe's capacity to produce high-quality, sustainable textiles and call for inclusion in future competitiveness policies and associated funding.

In essence, the call from Paccanelli and Serna underscores the vital role of the textile industry in Europe's economic landscape and advocates for a holistic approach to secure its competitiveness.