Despite economic challenges, the demand for premium products such as groceries, spirits, clothing, and shoes remains strong in cities. Companies like Hindustan Unilever and Diageo India report continued growth in the premium segment. Higher-income consumers are driving this trend, with spending on international vacations and weddings also reflecting resilience.

Vietnam and the Czech Republic aim to strengthen trade ties, with limited current collaboration in textiles.
Vietnam exported $27.979 million in apparel to the Czech Republic in 2023, while Czech exports to Vietnam were negligible.
Czech Republic, a strong EU market, imported $375.645 million in fabric and $556.855 million in home textiles in Jan-Oct 2024, highlighting trade potential.

DPIIT and Bhaane Group have signed an MoU to launch incubation programmes for manufacturing startups, fostering ties with international ecosystems.
Shahi Exports’ subsidiary will offer market insights and operational guidance.
The initiative aims to boost Indian manufacturing entrepreneurs.
CEO Anand Ahuja highlighted global interest in Indian startups, aligning with startup India’s mission.

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grew by 5 per cent year on year (YoY) to $4.76 billion last year, according to provisional data released by the Joint Apparel Association Forum.
Such exports to the United States, the European Union (EU) and to the United Kingdom rose by 5.23 per cent YoY to $1.9 billion, 0.81 per cent YoY to $1.4 billion and 7.65 per cent YoY to $675 million respectively last year.

Adidas reintroduces the Adizero franchise with the lightweight Adizero ZG spikeless golf shoes, designed for stability, traction, and comfort while reducing foot fatigue.
Featuring LIGHTSTRIKE cushioning, SPIKEMORE outsole, a DYNAMIC TORSION plate, and a waterproof SPRINTSKIN upper, it’s available in laced and BOA models for men and women.

Puma has reported a currency-adjusted sales growth of 9.8 per cent in Q4 2024, reaching €2.3 billion (~$2.4 billion), with footwear up 9.2 per cent, apparel 8.8 per cent, and accessories 14.5 per cent.
Full-year sales grew 4.4 per cent to €8.9 billion (~$9.3 billion).
The company aims to launch the ‘next level’ efficiency programme to target an 8.5 per cent EBIT margin by 2027.

A study by the FibER Hub at Northumbria University, in collaboration with The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), has revealed that clothes shed microfibres throughout their lifespan, including natural fabrics like cotton.
The research aims to understand microfibre loss in various environmental settings and inform sustainable textile development.

Puma shares fell 18 per cent after reporting lower-than-expected Q4 sales and a dip in annual profit, raising concerns about its competitiveness with Adidas and Nike. The disappointment follows Adidas’ strong performance. Puma’s new Speedcat shoes have underperformed, and its 2027 profit margin targets may shift focus from boosting sales, risking future growth.

Associated British Foods revised its annual sales forecast for Primark to “low-single digit” growth for 2025 after a 1.9 per cent like-for-like sales drop, primarily due to a 6 per cent dip in the UK and Ireland market. Despite new store openings, challenging autumn conditions and cautious consumer sentiment impacted overall performance.

With global retailers scrambling to find alternative suppliers amidst the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, industry stakeholders urge the Indian government to introduce significant budget reforms in the textile sector.