Italy’s sharp decline in apparel trade in early 2026 reflects short-term demand caution and inventory tightening rather than structural weakness.
Strong 2025 performance highlights resilient trade fundamentals supported by diversified markets.
Gradual sourcing shifts, including reduced reliance on China, indicate evolving supply chain strategies.

Hermes’ top brass, led by executive chairman Axel Dumas, inaugurated the plant in Loupes, near Bordeaux on Friday in the presence of local authorities. The site is currently making mostly Kelly handbags and will increase production of the Constance and Bride de Jour.

D&G said that Gabbana, 63, had resigned from his corporate positions as of January 1 “as part of a natural process of organisational and governance evolution”.

Imports from India declined 28.7% year-on-year, compared with a 16.4% fall from Bangladesh, while Vietnam recorded a 5% increase, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel. Imports from China recorded the steepest decline at 45.2%, an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industries showed.

Kontoor Brands has named Erinn Murphy VP, global head of finance & operations for Helly Hansen and Corporate Investor Relations, starting May in Oslo.
She joins from Crocs, Inc., bringing nearly two decades of experience across investor relations, strategy and equity research.
Michael Karapetian will expand his role and return in Q3 2026 to support transition and investor engagement.

“Our monthly attribution model GRAM captured the sentiment – but not the magnitude – of the move, attributing much of the drop to momentum factors: global gold ETF outflows, a COMEX net long unwind and a price trend reversal,” the World Gold Council stated.

Switzerland’s apparel imports rose 11.7 per cent year on year (YoY) to $1.523 billion in January–February 2026, signalling steady demand.
Growth builds on 2025 momentum, led by knitwear and comfort-led segments.
China, Bangladesh and Italy remain key suppliers.
Strong purchasing power and stable retail trends continue to support consistent sourcing activity.

Marks and Spencer have renewed its long-standing strategic partnership with TCS to accelerate its technology transformation.
The collaboration will focus on building an omnichannel, data-driven retail model powered by AI and modern technologies, enhancing customer experience while supporting long-term growth and operational agility.
It will also strengthen digital capabilities across core business function

AAFA along with 18 other trade bodies recently wrote to Congressional leadership in the US House of Representatives seeking support to move HR 4930 forward in the legislative process.
The piece of legislation, aimed at addressing long-standing challenges to the enforcement of IPR at US borders, was reported with unanimous, bipartisan support from the House Ways and Means Committee.

The 2026 apparel slowdown signals a structural reset rather than a cyclical dip, with fragmented demand and weaker pricing power reshaping growth.
Rising input costs and inventory build-up are compressing margins, while cautious consumer spending and supply chain risks prolong a low-growth, high-complexity phase.
Export demand remains inconsistent, limiting visibility for manufacturers.