Apparels

South Korea’s apparel imports rose 3.12 per cent to $12.366 billion in 2024, driven by knitted ($5.083 billion) and non-knitted apparel ($7.283 billion).
December imports reached $935.544 million, up 11.44 per cent year-on-year.
Exports of man-made textiles (Chapter 54) fell to $1.987 billion, and knitted fabrics (Chapter 60) eased to $1,713.855 million in 2024.

Donald Trump’s return to office is set to reshape US trade policies, with steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports and other exporting nations.
Apparel imports, which peaked under both Trump and Biden, face uncertainty.
Inflation concerns may lead to prices of clothing rise by 20 per cent.
Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India could benefit from China’s losses, but trade barriers remain a challenge.

India’s apparel retail market is expected to grow with e-commerce increasing by 17 per cent y-o-y in FY25 and brick-and-mortar by 7 per cent.
Fast fashion, luxury, and ethnic segments are expected to outperform.
EBITDA margins will remain stable in FY25, improving in FY26 due to cost optimisation.
Store expansions will focus on fast fashion and ethnic formats, with a slow pace of growth.

Richemont, owner of Cartier, reported a 10% year-on-year increase in Q3 sales, significantly surpassing expectations. This growth suggests a potential recovery in the luxury sector, despite challenges in the Chinese market. The company’s performance lifted shares and provided optimism for the high-end market during the holiday season.

​Some of them have kind of changed strategically, they have moved omni channel, they moved from online to offline, they have done those kind of things, those kind of innovations. But even after that, I think Trent, Zudio as a story is very much here to stay.

India’s gems and jewellery exports saw a 10.29 per cent decline in December 2024 compared to the previous year due to economic uncertainties and a shift towards gold as a safe-haven investment. The export of Cut & Polished diamonds and gold jewellery also declined, though a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may boost trade activities soon.

Union Budget 2025: Reduction in import duties last year greatly improved the demand for precious metals and fine jewellery. The growth was further complemented by government initiatives and an increased confidence in gold as an investment. Loans against gold jewellery saw a significant rise and recent listings of jewellery companies performed exceptionally well. Indian jewellery exports also increased with the rupee’s depreciation.

India’s apparel exports surged by 11.6 per cent to USD 11.31 billion during April-December of this fiscal year due to robust growth in markets including the US, UK, and Germany, as reported by AEPC. The positive trend signifies a strategic moment for India to enhance its global market presence and attract foreign investment.

Gold markets experience an uptick post-Kharmash period, driven by increased consumer demand amid rising international prices and speculation of a potential import duty hike in the upcoming union budget. Traders report significant sales growth in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazar and Kolkata’s Senco Gold & Diamonds.

Li Ning Company Limited has been named the official sportswear partner for China’s Olympic delegation from 2025 to 2028.
After serving in this role from 1992 to 2004, Li Ning reaffirms its commitment to supporting Chinese athletes and promoting sportsmanship.
Founder Li Ning expressed honour and dedication to inspiring active lifestyles and fostering Olympic pride.