Talking strategy: how will green manufacturing policies, high fuel prices and a slowing economy affect the global apparel industry?

4 pages, published in Issue 2, 2nd Quarter 2008   Report price: Euro 275.00; US$ 365.00

The prospect of a recession in the USA and in some EU countries is placing a substantial amount of uncertainty on players in international clothing markets. The situation has come at a time when firms in the industry are already trying to adapt to a number of complex factors which they have not been able to control. Three of the most influential of these factors have been: fierce competition from low cost Asian producers, especially China; pressure from governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to make manufacturing more environmentally and socially responsible; and rapidly increasing fuel prices.

If these factors weren't enough to cope with, garment manufacturers and retailers must now face up to the prospect of slack demand in their most important markets.

One thing which is certain is that these factors, collectively, will squeeze manufacturers’ and retailers’ margins. Pushing up unit prices in line with increases in costs may not be an option as manufacturers could run the risk of pricing themselves out of the market, especially if consumer demand is slow. In Talking Strategy this quarter, the president of the International Apparel Federation (IAF), Vassilis Masselos, provides insight into how these macro economic factors will affect the global apparel value chain and offers potential solutions for manufacturers and retailers alike.

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• Going green: policies to promote environmentally sound activities in apparel, (2nd Quarter 2008)
• Composites and Technical Fabrics: The Potential for Flax and Hemp, (1st quarter 2008)

Global Apparel Markets provides intelligence, analysis and insight on the global apparel and fashion industries.

What's in it? Each issue contains data and expert analysis on key industry topics, including: artificial intelligence (AI); augmented reality (AR); consumer expenditure; corporate social responsibility (CSR); cotton; denim; environmental sustainability; fibres; imports and exports; key geographical markets; labour law; product innovations; regulation; retail; sourcing; strategy; supply chains; and trade and trade policy. A single issue of Global Apparel Markets includes: practical and strategic advice from an industry expert a report on a key geographical market a round-up of the latest product innovations a feature on trade and trade policy comprehensive coverage of the latest business news An annual subscription to Global Apparel Markets is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global apparel and fashion industries. Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication. Subscribers also receive a complementary digital subscription to Global Apparel Update, delivered directly by email once a month. This free supplement contains essential information on business news and the latest product developments. Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Global Apparel Markets is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising. This is what our customers say: "In our work, we were looking for industry insights and trends - who the major suppliers were, which countries were producing and what, productivity rates, investment incentives, where investors were moving to and why, etc. A lot of the individual country case studies you did were great - I remember one recently on the UK for example. There was also a great article from a guy on the Turkish market and recent trends there. Both these articles were written for the layman so they were easy to understand but comprehensive at the same time. The technology articles were also interesting. Basically, it was an all-round good publication that covered everything in enough depth so that you would always find something of interest in each issue." (Alan J. Saffery; Competitiveness, Private Sector & Economic Growth ; Saffery Consulting)