Apparels

Adidas predicts lower operating profit for 2025, despite strong sales in 2024. Under CEO Bjorn Gulden, Adidas has outperformed forecasts, but shares fell 2.5 per cent due to a cautious outlook. Annual revenue is expected to rise by high single-digits, with North America and Greater China seeing over 10 per cent growth. Adidas aims to surpass Nike, except in the US.

Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal highlighted that, although discussions about an IPO are ongoing, the company is primarily focused on growth and maintaining consistency with customers, which is crucial for long-term success.

Nigeria’s Cross River State government recently signed a 20-year concession agreement handing over several state-owned businesses, including a garment factory and a sack-bag factory, to the Jampur Group, an Indian company.
The concessionaire has been granted management rights over the state-owned plants.
The concession terms have been structured under a PPP arrangement.

Adidas TERREX has unveiled the redesigned Skychaser GORE-TEX, blending trail-tested tech with modern design.
Featuring a LIGHTSTRIKE midsole, GORE-TEX upper, stability plate, and Continental outsole, it ensures comfort, protection, and traction.
Complementing it are the Xploric Anorak Jacket, Xploric Cargo Pants (UPF 50+), and Utilitas Zip Off Pant for versatile outdoor adventures.

Joe Foster, Reebok’s founder, collaborates with Syntilay to launch AI and 3D printed footwear for content creators. The brand aims to offer unique shoe designs, blending artificial intelligence with traditional manufacturing to revolutionize the footwear industry. Their first AI-designed slide is priced at $150 and available globally through their website.

If the US imposes reciprocal tariffs, India’s exports to there may fall by $2-7 billion in FY26, Ind-Ra estimates.
Apparel and accessories are highly vulnerable.
Such exports may fall by $1.78 billion in FY26, while GDP growth may fall by 5-20 bps from its earlier estimate of 6.6 per cent.
Under a more plausible scenario, an export fall of $2-3.5 billion may lead to a 5-10-bps drop in GDP growth.

Kering has secured a spot on the CDP 2024 ‘Triple A’ List for the second consecutive year.
The Group earned AAA ratings in Climate Change, Forests, and Water Security, with key achievements including a 12 per cent reduction in GHG emissions and 97 per cent traceability for key raw materials.
CDP assessed over 24,800 organisations using its rigorous methodology.

An acquisition of Versace by Prada could strengthen the Italian luxury group by expanding its brand base and resilience. However, restructuring Versace, which has faced mismanagement and operates at a loss, may take years and impact short-term profits, despite Prada’s strong growth.

Indian apparel exporters are ramping up capacities due to the US imposing a 10% duty on Chinese imports, resulting in increased demand. The Tiruppur hub in Tamil Nadu has significantly expanded its operations to meet this demand. Moreover, potential resolutions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and favorable trade agreements with the EU could further boost exports.

Home-based Bangladesh garment workers engaged by sub-contractors—93.6 per cent of whom work on a piece-rate basis for apparel units—remain largely invisible, a study found.
They lack bargaining power, and are mostly unaware of labour laws, wages and working conditions, leading them to accept unfair terms and endure poor working conditions, long hours and delayed payments.