Tormented by rising unemployment and a “triple-dip” recession, the people of Spain are spending less than ever on cars, cigarettes and clothing. With 6 million Spaniards out of work, clothing sales in Spain sank 8.6% this year, having fallen for the seventh consecutive year. Budget fashion chain Blanco is one of many Spanish companies bearing the brunt of the consumer cutbacks. Last week, … [Read more...]
US Legislators Fight EU Tariff Increase On American-made Women’s Jeans
June 14, 2013 by
American-made blue jeans are immensely popular in every nation of the European Union, but will consumers keep buying them if prices suddenly soar? A steep increase in the EU sales price of jeans has occurred as a consequence of a new, and some say prohibitive – 38 percent EU tariff recently imposed on these products. The previous EU tariff was 12 percent. The tariff was described by at … [Read more...]
Turkey Manufacturers Claim Strikes Not Disrupting Orders
June 12, 2013 by
Strikes and riots in Turkey have not disrupted order delivery, says the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers' Association (TCMA), which represents most Turkish clothing manufacturers. Despite a week of civil unrest, which began on May 31st in Istanbul, Cem Negrin, the TCMA president, has said that the industry has been unaffected. More than 60% of Turkey's textiles and apparel are manufactured in … [Read more...]
National Retail Federation Pushes Alternative to Bangladesh Safety Deal
June 6, 2013 by
The National Retail Federation (NRF), the largest organization of retailers in North America, has joined Gap Inc., Wal-Mart, Sears and JCPenney in their resistance to an accord drafted by labor activists in response to the multiple, deadly incidents in Bangladesh garment factories. The pact, called the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (available to the public here), requires … [Read more...]
Clothing May Be Dangerous To Your Health
June 3, 2013 by
Apparel imports to the European Union (EU) in 2012 were cited by safety officials as among the most potentially dangerous consumer products. RAPEX, the European Union's rapid alert system and information exchange for dangerous goods, said 58 percent of its 1,126 safety alert notifications of dangerous products in 2012, involved Chinese clothing, toys and gadgets, with clothing topping the … [Read more...]
Despite Its Problems Bangladesh To Retain Privileged Access to EU Market
May 30, 2013 by
Although safety and health problems persist in the Bangladeshi garment and textile manufacturing industries, the European Union agreed to let Bangladesh retain its privileged access to the EU market. After meeting recently in Brussels Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and EU's Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht issued a joint statement pledging to improve workers' safety standards and … [Read more...]
Bangladesh Safety Agreement Gains Traction in Europe as Gap and Walmart Push Back
May 15, 2013 by
Six more firms have signed on to the new Bangladesh safety agreement, including Carrefour, Benetton, Marks & Spencer, and Spanish retailer El Corte Ingles. American brand owner PVH has signed on, but other American firms including Gap have been reluctant to do so. The plan would require rigorous independent inspections and money to pay for safety upgrades such as fire escapes, along with … [Read more...]
E.U. Ends Burma Sanctions: Labor Advocates “Deeply Disturbed”
May 15, 2013 by
European Union (EU) foreign ministers permanently lifted trade and economic sanctions against Burma (Myanmar). The sanctions were temporarily lifted in 2012, as Burma began a political reform program. Labor rights groups, however, were not happy about the decision. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) called it "An abdication of responsibility." In a statement issued by the EU, the sanctions … [Read more...]
AAFA Updates Restricted Substances List
April 4, 2013 by
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has released an updated version of its Restricted Substances List that reflects new EU chemicals regulations, among other international and state changes. The list helps firms manufacturing footwear, apparel, travel goods, home textiles, and other fashion accessories manage the chemicals they use by providing them with information about … [Read more...]
NEW Report From Sourcing Journal and TradeCard Helps Brands and Retailers Implement Sourcing Strategies in the Americas.
