UK’s clothing exports declined 7.66 per cent to £217 million (~$293 million) in February 2026, amid weak European demand and cost pressures.
Textile and fibre exports also fell year on year, though month-on-month trends show mild recovery.
Full-year 2025 exports remained under pressure, extending a post-pandemic correction.
Q4 data indicates only a partial sequential rebound.

AAFA, responding to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) request for feedback on GHG emissions reporting requirements under SB 253, urged CARB to align with existing emissions reporting frameworks and ensure flexibility in the use of standards.
AAFA recommended that CARB not mandate specific methods and allow flexibility to report using whichever method is the best fit for the reporting entity.

A distant war is impacting global luxury sales. Europe’s top luxury firms have lost billions in market value. The Middle East, a key growth market, is seeing reduced tourist spending due to travel disruptions and uncertainty. This slowdown affects major brands like Hermès, Gucci, and LVMH. Recovery for the luxury sector faces delays as geopolitical risks persist.

Gold demand and consumer sentiment remain firm ahead of Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday, April 19, as retail investors look to bullion as a preferred avenue for wealth creation. Despite elevated price levels, the festival continues to serve as a primary driver for the precious metals market, supported by a year where gold delivered gains exceeding 60 per cent.

The UK’s clothing imports rose 2.32 per cent year on year (YoY) to £1.320 billion (~$1.789 billion) in February 2026, with a marginal month on month (MoM) increase.
Fabric imports edged up, while fibre imports remained flat.
Despite softer quarterly trends in late 2025, full-year 2025 apparel imports grew over 6 per cent, signalling resilient demand amid mixed textile segment performance.

Akshaya Tritiya continues to remain one of the most significant occasions for jewellery purchases in India, with gold and silver retaining their traditional importance as preferred investment options, this year it will be celebrated on Sunday, April 19.

OVS has posted record FY25 sales of €1,745.9 million (~$2.06 billion), up 7 per cent YoY, driven by like-for-like growth and Goldenpoint consolidation.
Adjusted gross margin rose 8.8 per cent, while net profit increased 14.8 per cent.
Key brands delivered solid EBITDA gains.
Womenswear and beauty led growth, with early FY26 performance remaining strong on robust collection demand.

In a bid to navigate the turbulent waters of global shipping issues, India’s textiles ministry is advocating for lower duties on rayon pulp and certain cotton varieties. Furthermore, there’s potential for a postponement of anti-dumping duties on specific yarns, which would significantly aid supply chains.

US trade body AAFA has urged the International Trade Commission not to revoke the permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status granted to China as that would result in higher tariffs borne by US companies.
Higher tariffs on Chinese imports would constrain US firms’ ability to invest in innovation, expand operations and support US job growth, and would risk closing off commercial opportunities in China.

India’s textile and apparel exports fell sharply in March 2026, declining 14.02 per cent year on year (YoY) to $2.91 billion amid geopolitical disruptions.
Apparels dropped 18.99 per cent and textiles 9.91 per cent.
FY 2025–26 exports slipped 2.21 per cent, with sector share easing to 8.10 per cent.
Cotton imports surged annually, while MMF trends remained relatively stable.