Apparels

Tata-owned Trent remains unperturbed by growing competition in retail, with no plans to alter its strategy. Trent’s MD P Venkatesalu emphasizes focusing on consumer needs amid intense competition, including the re-entry of Shein via Reliance Retail. Despite demand fluctuations, Trent continues its robust expansion with Zudio, aiming for significant market growth in the future.

Despite Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the EU growing by 4.86 per cent YoY to $19.77 billion last year, exporters observed unit prices declining as the growth in volume outpaced the rise in value.
The per-unit price fell to $16.07 per kg in 2024 from $16.88 per kg in the previous year—a sharp 5-per cent drop.
Turkiye, India, China, Vietnam and Cambodia also saw declines in unit prices.

In 2024, US apparel imports from Bangladesh rose by 2.15 per cent to $7.404 billion, despite political turmoil in August.
Imports surged 27.7 per cent year-on-year in Q4, reaching $1.940 billion.
The US imported 164.112 million dozen of garments at an average price of $45 per unit.
While trade saw quarterly fluctuations, annual growth remained steady, indicating resilience.

Rocky Brands, Inc, has reported FY24 net sales of $453.8 million, down 1.7 per cent YoY, though adjusted sales grew 5.3 per cent.
Gross margin improved to 39.4 per cent, while income from operations fell to $31.1 million.
Net income rose to $11.4 million, or $1.52 per diluted share.
Retail sales surged, and Q4 saw strong momentum, driven by increased marketing and demand for Durango and XTRATUF brands.

Skechers signs Danish footballer Matt O’Riley, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, as its first Danish ambassador.
O’Riley competes in Skechers Razor 1.5 Elite boots and will feature in marketing campaigns in Denmark.
Skechers Football, launched in 2023/24 with Harry Kane, has expanded its athlete roster globally, offering high-performance boots for all levels, including the new Electrum Pack.

Kalyan Jewellers aims to cut its debt by Rs 300 crore by March 2025 and expand using a franchise-operated model. The company plans to liquidate land collaterals to free up financial resources and expects a 50-50 revenue mix between franchise and company-owned stores by next fiscal year. International expansion is also in the pipeline.

The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has completed the first phase of the $120 million Eroglu knitting project, establishing a fully integrated garment factory in West Qantara.
Spanning 100,000 square metres, it will create 5,000 jobs and produce 30 million garments annually.
This is Eroglu Global Holding’s second investment in the area.

“The biggest drain in business on margins is the discounting. And as we keep getting better at tightening discounting, getting into more and more of channel mix play, (between stores and online), which drives for reduced discounting,” said Vishak Kumar, CEO, lifestyle business, at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail told investors. Vector said executing in-season stock adjustment manually, such as inter-store transfers, is reactive, slow and inefficient. Lead times of over 6-9 months force brands to plan collections a year in advance, making demand forecasting difficult and increasing risk of unsold stock.

Global brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Superdry may soon resume importing premium footwear to India as the government has initiated certification of overseas factories after 18 months. The move follows pressure from US President Trump and the fallout from India’s newly introduced quality control orders.

Adidas and Pharrell Williams have unveiled the Superstar 92, a bold reinvention of the classic silhouette, blending 90s aesthetics with snowboard boot elements.
The campaign, shot by Cam Hicks, features hip-hop duo Clipse and captures Virginia Beach’s essence.
With thick padding, a chunky sole, and ‘Virginia’ on the tongue, the design pays homage to Pharrell’s roots and cultural legacy.