Apparels

Italy’s footwear industry is showing early signs of stabilisation, with 2025 turnover projected at €12.8 billion (~$15.1 billion), down 3.1 per cent year on year.
Third-quarter performance improved, easing the earlier downturn.
Export volumes rose despite lower values, led by the EU and Middle East, while domestic demand remained subdued and employment pressures persisted.

India’s next wave of growth is coming from smaller cities. Brands are adapting products and pricing to reach millions of aspirational yet price-conscious consumers. This shift is reshaping retail, from fast fashion to quick-commerce. Companies are focusing on local needs and value to capture this expanding market. The future of consumption is moving beyond major metros.

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has launched a proxy fight by nominating three independent directors to the company’s board, days after the athleisure maker announced the exit of CEO Calvin McDonald. Wilson said the board had failed on oversight and succession planning, arguing that shareholders would not trust a new CEO chosen by the current board.

Thailand’s apparel exports grew 5.86 per cent in 2025, led by T-shirts replacing innerwear as the top category, signalling a shift in export mix.
However, faster import growth of nearly 14 per cent reflects rising domestic demand and dependence on overseas suppliers, especially for trousers and shorts, highlighting a widening trade imbalance within the apparel sector.

Silver prices tumbled Rs 21,000 per kg on MCX after an overheated rally unravelled, driven by easing geopolitical tensions, extreme deviation from key technical levels, and heavy profit-booking. A margin hike, record weekly gains, and a stronger dollar added to the selloff, abruptly halting silver’s meteoric year-to-date surge.

India’s household gold reserves have surged past $5 trillion, exceeding the nation’s GDP, as record gold prices reflect cultural significance and a safe-haven appeal. While central banks also fuel the rally, this vast, largely idle asset presents a policy challenge in unlocking its value for economic growth.

Arvind Fashions is acquiring Flipkart India’s stake in its Flying Machine business. The deal is valued at Rs 135 crore. This move will give Arvind Fashions full ownership of the denim brand. Flipkart had previously invested in the unit. The acquisition aims to streamline operations for Arvind. It also aligns with Flipkart’s strategy to focus on its core e-commerce platforms.

Morocco’s apparel imports rose 16 per cent to $448.052 million during Jan–Sept, driven by stronger domestic demand and diversified sourcing.
Import volumes increased mainly through higher garment intake rather than price inflation.
China remained the largest supplier, while Bangladesh gained share.
European partners continued to play a central role in Morocco’s balanced sourcing mix.

Sri Lanka’s recent apparel wage hikes have raised nominal pay, but currency depreciation has limited real gains.
While manufacturers benefit from lower dollar-denominated labour costs, workers continue to face a wide gap between minimum wages and living costs, highlighting persistent structural pressures in a sector central to the country’s export economy.

Austria’s apparel imports fell 9.41 per cent year on year to $5.110 billion in January–September 2025, reflecting weaker European consumer demand, inflation pressures and cautious retail buying.
While European suppliers continued to dominate, Bangladesh emerged as the fourth-largest supplier, gaining share on competitive pricing and compliance strengths.