Apparels

Austria’s apparel imports fell to $1.59 billion in the first quarter of 2026 from $1.86 billion a year earlier, while sourcing patterns shifted notably towards Asia.
Germany remained the largest supplier, but its market share dropped to 34.3 per cent from over 47 per cent a year ago.
China and Bangladesh gained ground as Austrian buyers increasingly sought more cost-competitive sourcing options.

Extreme heat is fast turning one of the most serious threats to worker safety and supply chain resilience in the global apparel industry, a NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights report said.
Rising temperatures and humidity are already disrupting factory output, reducing productivity, damaging product quality, harming worker health and driving up absenteeism across South and Southeast Asia.

The stores will be supported by TechnoSport’s super stockist network and brand-led marketing initiatives. The company said the format is designed to leverage its existing supply chain infrastructure while expanding retail reach.

The company plans to increase its store network to 50 outlets by the end of the year.

Technical apparel is evolving from a niche segment into a mainstream growth driver, fuelled by climate adaptation, health monitoring and wearable technology.
Advances in smart textiles, sensors and performance materials are transforming garments into functional, data-enabled products.
For manufacturers, this shift creates opportunities in higher-value, innovation-led markets.

BRANDMAN-RETAIL-New Balance’s India partner Brandman to expand fivefold, add global brands, exec says

“We have really a broad spectrum of capability and know-how,” Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s chief marketing officer, said ‌at an event ⁠at Prada’s ⁠Manhattan store, sitting beside a mannequin donning the new Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment.

“This investment…marks another significant step in Grasim’s strategic expansion of advanced fibre capabilities, catering to the growing global demand for sustainable and high-performance textile materials,” Kumar Mangalam Birla, the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, said. “This fresh expansion will catapult Grasim’s overall Cellulosic Fibres capacity beyond 1 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable man-made Cellulosic Fibres.”

Guatemala’s apparel exports rose 8.75 per cent year on year to $385.08 million in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong US demand.
Knitwear accounted for over 91 per cent of shipments, while cotton apparel contributed nearly 62 per cent.
The US remained the dominant market, absorbing almost 90 per cent of exports, underscoring Guatemala’s strong dependence on its northern trading partner.

~Brand Connect Initiative~