Apparels

Luxury watch sales surged in April. Buyers rushed to purchase Rolex and Patek Philippe watches. This happened before potential tariffs from the United States. Trading platform Subdial saw a huge spike after paychecks. US and UK markets showed strong growth. Swiss watch exports to the US doubled. This was likely to avoid higher tariffs. The secondary watch market is recovering.

Agreeing with the US President’s comments that US tariff policy is not focused on driving the domestic footwear and apparel industry, US trade bodies have said it is not feasible to scale up footwear and apparel manufacturing now due to significant supply chain, labour and cost constraints.
They urged him to reduce the tariff burden on footwear and apparel and raise high-value jobs for US workers.

Gold saw a rise of Rs 100 in New Delhi, reaching Rs 98,600 per 10 grams. Jewellers and retailers increased their demand. Silver prices remained steady at Rs 1,00,000 per kg. Globally, gold experienced a slight dip. Investors are now watching US economic data. This includes PCE data and inflation expectations. The market awaits consumer sentiment reports.

Vietnamese authorities conducted a raid at Saigon Square Shopping Mall in Ho Chi Minh City, seizing thousands of counterfeit luxury goods. The action follows U.S. accusations of Vietnam being a hub for counterfeiting and threats of tariffs. Fake Rolex watches, Prada handbags, and other brands were confiscated, impacting consumers and brand reputations.

Mexico’s apparel imports declined 11.94 per cent to $1,408.761 million in Q1 2025, led by China with a 39.49 per cent share.
Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia and India were the other top suppliers.
Exports dropped 14.29 per cent to $1,103.272 million, with 94.54 per cent bound for the US.
Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize are the other top markets for Mexico’s apparel exports.

Domestic gold jewellery consumption in India is projected to expand by a significant 12-14 per cent in value terms in fiscal year 2026, according to a recent report by ICRA. Gold prices surge by 33 per cent in FY25, ICRA says prices will continue to surge in FY26.

Egypt’s SCZONE and China’s Shaoxing BEIQI Textile Co. have signed a $7 million deal to establish a garment facility in West Qantara, creating 3,000 jobs and producing 10 million garments annually.
This marks the 21st project in the zone, totalling $603.5 million and over 30,600 jobs. West Qantara’s strategic location makes it a key hub for labour-intensive industries like textiles.

Victoria’s Secret faced a major security incident. The company closed its U.S. website and certain in-store services. This action was a precaution. The firm is working to restore operations quickly. Third-party experts are helping with the investigation. The incident caused a drop in company shares. Physical stores remain open. The company prioritizes secure operations during the probe.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds is considering entering the lab-grown diamond market with a distinct brand, adapting to changing consumer tastes and rising gold prices. While gold prices impact sales, the company is innovating with lighter, more affordable jewelry and expanding its CSR efforts, including a significant pledge towards hunger eradication.

Bata India’s operating profit witnessed a 36% decline, reaching Rs 37 crore in the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2025, compared to Rs 58 crore in the previous fiscal year. Revenue from operations slightly decreased to Rs 788 crore. Despite demand challenges, the company focused on volume growth and affordability, recommending a final dividend of Rs 9 per share.