Apparels

Gold prices rose by 1% on Tuesday due to a weakening dollar after US President Trump’s policy announcements. This led to a pause in gold purchases by Indian consumers. The industry is cautious as further dollar weakening could push prices higher. Jewellers are waiting for price stability and clarity on Trump’s tariffs, impacting sales and customer behavior.

Oman seeks enhanced trade ties with China and hopes for a swift GCC-China FTA finalisation.
China’s apparel exports to Oman have declined steadily, from $242.050 million in 2021 to $99.445 million in 2023, with 2024 unlikely to match prior years.
Fabric exports also dropped, from $46.397 million in 2021 to $34.290 million in Jan-Nov 2024, reflecting a downward trend in textile trade.

China’s luxury market experienced an 18-20% decline in 2024, signaling an end to its exponential growth, with sales stagnating this year. Despite stimulus measures, consumer confidence remains low due to a property crisis and employment concerns. Competitive pricing on e-commerce platforms also impacts traditional luxury shopping destinations like Hainan.

Puma’s Paris Fashion Week takeover offers four days of events, including product previews, customisation workshops, exhibitions, and parties.
Highlights feature Studio Hagel’s workshop, Cold Archive’s tattoo and rave-inspired exhibit, Uniform Display’s backstage runway experience, and Hart Copy x Inside Tag’s showcase of rare Puma models, celebrating the Mostro era and design history.

Cambodia’s apparel exports surged 24.44 per cent to $9.791 billion in 2024, contributing 37.37 per cent of total foreign income.
Knitted apparel exports grew 21.2 per cent, and non-knitted rose 31.9 per cent.
Imports of fabrics and fibres, including knitted, man-made fibres, and cotton, also saw significant growth.
Despite global challenges, Cambodia showed resilience.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, during his visit to Brussels, asserts India’s commitment to protecting small and medium enterprises in the diamond industry by requesting the EU to extend the deadline for technology-based certification. He emphasizes India’s dedication to a fair Free Trade Agreement and encourages European investors to explore opportunities in India.

Jewellery demand in India is expected to recover mid-January due to weddings and price stability. 2024 saw a record inflow into gold ETFs, bolstered by global uncertainties and equity market volatility. Gold’s performance in November and December mirrored these trends, despite some fluctuations.

Krvvy, a women’s functional innerwear and shapewear startup, has secured Rs 6.1 crore in pre-seed funding led by Titan Capital and All In Capital. Founded by Yash Goyal and Anant Bhardwaj in 2024, the brand will use the funds for R&D to expand its product range and market presence across India.

The seasonally-adjusted US consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) rose by 0.4 per cent month on month (MoM) in December after rising by 0.3 per cent MoM in November.
Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose by 2.9 per cent before seasonal adjustment.
The seasonally-adjusted apparel CPI-U rose by 0.1 per cent MoM and the unadjusted figure rose by 1.2 per cent YoY in December.

The textiles ministry in New Delhi is expected to receive a 15% increase in allocation for FY26, reaching around ₹5,080 crore, with a significant rise in budgetary funds for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The government aims to expand domestic manufacturing and generate significant growth in textiles exports by 2047.