Agilitas Sportswear has appointed Ajay Kumar Pandey as director – quality, production, technical & manufacturing excellence.
With over 25 years of experience, including a key leadership role at Puma, Pandey is known for driving global quality, innovation, and manufacturing excellence.
He will lead production, technical operations, and order management.

Gold prices are set for a third consecutive week of gains, driven by the Federal Reserve’s rate cut signals and increasing demand due to geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Spot gold eased slightly to USD 3,034.09 an ounce, having hit a record high of USD 3,057.21 on Thursday. The market remains bullish despite global tensions and economic challenges.

Jewellery exporters at SEEPZ in Mumbai have requested government permission to manufacture jewellery for the domestic market, anticipating job losses due to forthcoming US tariffs. The US’s reciprocal tariffs could severely impact India’s jewellery exports. Industry leaders suggest reducing import duties on US gold jewellery or permitting domestic production to safeguard jobs and sustain the sector.

J.Jill, Inc has announced that it expects net sales to decline by up to 4 per cent in Q1 FY25 but rise by 1 to 3 per cent for the full fiscal, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $101–106 million.
In FY24, net sales grew 0.5 per cent to $610.9 million, while Q4 saw a 4.9 per cent drop.
The company opened 14 stores in FY24 and plans further expansion and system upgrades.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds invested Rs 600 crore to open 12 new showrooms by month’s end, bringing their total to 391 across 13 countries and 19 Indian states. The expansion will create 400 jobs. By FY25, the total will be 42 new showrooms. They plan to open 60 more globally in 2025, with five new showrooms in April.

Sumit Dhingra has been named the new country director for Bestseller India, taking over from June 1, 2025. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Dhingra aims to drive growth and strengthen Bestseller’s presence in the Indian market, supported by significant brand-building and retail expansion expertise.

Global secondhand fashion sales reached $227 billion in 2024, accounting for 10% of global apparel spending, with the trend accelerating, particularly in the US. This shift is driven by affordability, changing attitudes, and AI-assisted shopping. Secondhand marketplaces like ThredUp and Poshmark are growing, while brands like Patagonia and Lululemon embrace resale. Sales are projected to exceed $250 billion by 2025.

Brand Concepts Limited is investing Rs 20 crore to introduce Juicy Couture handbags in India, targeting Rs 50 crore in retail revenue within three years. The company plans to expand its retail and online presence, initially launching in Lucknow and other metro cities. They aim for Juicy Couture to contribute significantly to their overall revenue by FY 26.

Yoho plans to invest Rs 4 crore in a new manufacturing unit in Haryana, aiming for a capacity of 2 lakh units per month. The brand will initially produce 30,000 shoes monthly and seeks to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets.

US tariffs on China’s man-made fibre (MMF) jerseys and pullovers (HS 611020) are reshaping trade, with Honduras emerging as the key beneficiary due to its zero per cent tariff and high RCA (54.32).
China’s rising UVR ($13.5/kg) weakens its cost advantage, while Vietnam and Indonesia face pricing challenges.
Honduras’ lower costs and strategic trade access position it as a dominant US supplier.