Apparels

Rising tariffs on China are reshaping the US hosiery, full-length stockings, and socks market.
While China remains the dominant supplier, its cost advantage is waning.
This shift is opening doors for cost-efficient players like Pakistan and India.
El Salvador benefits from zero tariffs and niche specialisation, while Vietnam targets premium segments.
The market is poised for realignment.

France’s apparel imports declined slightly by 0.72 per cent to $24.586 billion in 2024.
China remained the top supplier with a 23.08 per cent share, followed by Bangladesh, Italy, Turkiye, and Vietnam.
Imports from China and Vietnam rose, while Turkiye saw a decline.
Italy showed consistent growth.
Other notable suppliers included India, Cambodia, Tunisia, Morocco, and Pakistan.

The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association’s strategic plan for 2025-2034 envisages setting goals to penetrate global markets with high-quality, value-added products.
It aims at cultivating ethical and responsible operations, employing 1.2-1.6 million workers in the next decade, and growing to a $15-billion industry.
The country’s garment industry is estimated to be worth $5 billion this year.

Uniqlo, in partnership with Plan International, has launched its first skill centre in India to empower underprivileged youth with job-oriented training.
Located in Dwarka, it will offer technical and life skills to 2,700 youths by 2027.
Funded by Fast Retailing’s donation and the PEACE FOR ALL project, the initiative reflects Uniqlo’s long-term commitment to India’s development.

US market for women’s synthetic trousers is highly competitive, with Vietnam, China, Jordan, Cambodia, and Indonesia leading exports.
Vietnam dominates due to strong specialisation and pricing balance, while Jordan benefits from tariff-free access.
China’s cost efficiency offsets tariff burdens, though its competitiveness may decline.
Cambodia and Indonesia hold mid-range positions.

Gold prices have jumped, leading customers in Asia and the Middle East to cash in old jewellery, potentially reducing future imports and tempering gold’s rally. Jewellers are seeing less customer traffic despite India’s wedding season. With high prices, consumers are opting for cheaper options or selling old gold. Investment interest in bullion remains strong.

US’ share in Bangladesh’s apparel exports surged to 54.28 per cent in January–February 2025, up from 18.52 per cent in 2024, reversing a three-year decline.
Despite overall export fluctuations, US-bound shipments saw a significant jump early in 2025.
Cotton garments made up over 73 per cent of 2024 exports to the US, with men’s, women’s, and unisex garments contributing the bulk.

Signs of recovery in China’s diamond market are creating cautious optimism in India’s diamond industry. The market’s resurgence and stabilizing prices could breathe life back into India’s diamond export sector. An emphasis on smaller diamonds over larger stones signals shifting consumer preferences in China, offering hope for sustained growth in India’s diamond industry.

Gen Z is reshaping the Indian fashion market with their unique and experimental clothing choices. New brands like Freakins and Bonkers Corner are gaining popularity, affecting sales of established labels like Zara and H&M. Priced affordably, these brands appeal to Gen Z’s need for self-expression and inclusivity in sizing, with a strong preference for online shopping.

The global sporting goods industry faced a difficult environment in 2024, with softer growth prospects, inflation and cautious consumer spending, a McKinsey report found.
Despite that, the industry managed to sustain a 7-per cent growth rate a year from 2021 to 2024.
The growth outlook for 2024-2029 is projected at 6 per cent a year, driven by a slowdown in APAC, Western Europe and Latin America.