Global apparel markets: business update, 1st quarter 2010

26 pages, published in Issue 9, 1st Quarter 2010   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

US apparel sales were down by 5.2% in 2009 while clothing imports fell by 11.8%. By contrast, EU sales of textile, clothing and footwear were up by 2.6% in December 2009, and sales of fabrics, apparel and accessories in Japan by 7.0% in January 2010. Chinese clothing exports fell by 12% in January- November 2009 and Thai textile and clothing exports by 13% in 2009 as a whole. However, these are forecast to rise by 10-15% in 2010. Clothing market demand in Asia and Oceania is predicted to grow by 10.9% a year during 2009-14, and half of the increase will be in China. Growth is also expected in the consumer market for clothing in the Gulf States, and the global swimwear and beachwear market will be worth US$17.6 bn by 2015. Hong Kong and New Zealand have signed a Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) agreement, and the EU has reached a free trade agreement with Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Gildan Activewear has ended its search for a low cost strategic location for the development of a "major vertically integrated manufacturing hub" in Asia by purchasing Bangladesh-based Shahriyar Fabric Industries. Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) has acquired Tommy Hilfiger and become one of the world's largest apparel companies while Jones Apparel Group has bought Moda Nicola International (MNI). Iconix Brand Group has set up a new joint venture with Madonna, called MG Icon, while Iconix China has signed a deal with Eve NY to develop the Badgley Mischka brand in China. YMI Jeanswear and Stargate Apparel have signed a licensing agreement relating to YMI branded clothing for girls.

Most of the North America-based companies featured in this report posted declines in net sales, including Abercrombie & Fitch (down by 16%), Gap (down by 2%), JC Penney (down by 5%) and Levi Strauss & Co (down by 7%). However, increases were achieved by Gildan Activewear (up by 20%) and TJX Companies (up by 7%). Increases were also recorded by all but one of the European companies featured in this report, including H&M (up by 15%), Inditex (up by 7%), and Marks and Spencer (up by 3%). The exception was Benetton Group (down by 4%).

New stores have been opened by American Eagle Outfitters and Bloomingdale's in the Middle East, and by H&M in Israel and South Korea. Uniqlo has opened a store in Russia and Jaegar has opened concessions in Harvey Nichols stores in the UK and Ireland. Looking ahead, there are plans to open Uniqlo stores in Taiwan, Gap stores in Australia and Italy, and Banana Republic stores in Italy. Marks and Spencer (M&S) aims to become the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015 while three organisations in Bangladesh have agreed to work together to improve environmental compliance in the country's textile and apparel sector. Meanwhile, the speciality store private label apparel retailer IT'S International has implemented radio frequency identification (RFID) technology across its supply chain.

Business update

• Summary
• Acquisitions, divestments and mergers
• Anti-counterfeiting
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Environmental issues
• Financial results
• International trade
• International trade policy
• Joint ventures, cooperation, licensing and distribution agreements
• Market forecasts
• Markets
• New stores
• Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology

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• Performance apparel markets: business update, 1st quarter 2010, (1st Quarter 2010)
• Global technical textiles business update, 1st quarter 2010, (1st quarter 2010)
• Global apparel markets: business update, 4th quarter 2009, (4th Quarter 2009)

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

What's in it? Each issue contains: essential information on trade and trade policy; news from leading brands, companies and other organisations; analysis of key geographical markets; and expert opinions on strategy. A single issue of Global Apparel Markets includes: practical and strategic advice from industry experts a report on a key geographical market a round-up of the latest product innovations a feature on trade and trade policy comprehensive information on the latest business developments An annual subscription to Global Apparel Markets is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global apparel industry. 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)