Apparels

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.

Turkiye’s apparel exports fell by 2.40 per cent YoY in January 2025 to $1,356 million.
In 2024, total exports declined by 4.47 per cent to $17.494 billion.
Knitted apparel exports saw a slight increase in January 2025, while non-knitted apparel fell by 6.5 per cent.
No textiles-related products were among the top 20 imports.
Apparel exports had also declined in 2023 and 2022.

As a legislation was introduced in both houses of US Congress to renew the Haiti HOPE/HELP trade programme for ten years, AAFA requested President Donald Trump to quickly sign it into law and provide predictability for US brands and retailers still trying to do business in Haiti amid uncertainty.
The renewal is urgently needed to help combat the crisis that continues to unfold in Haiti, it noted.

UK regained its position as the 7th largest market for Egyptian apparel exports in January–October 2024, with shipments worth $85.841 million (3.69 per cent of Egypt’s total apparel exports).
UK was previously the sixth-largest market in 2021 and 2022 but dropped to ninth in 2023.
Trousers and shorts led exports at 55.15 per cent, followed by shirts (15.52 per cent) and T-shirts (13.59 per cent).

India remains a key market for U.S. Polo Assn., experiencing rapid growth and outpacing the U.S. and Turkey. With 450 stores, plans include adding 60-70 stores annually and expanding flagship stores. Adjacent categories like footwear and kidswear are driving diversification. The brand also focuses on omnichannel strategy and plans further global expansion by 2025.

India’s Tamil Nadu state’s Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau recently signed an MoU with Evervan Kothari Footwear Limited to set up non-leather footwear manufacturing projects in Karur and Perambalur districts with an investment of $572.17 million.
The company is a subsidiary of the Phoenix Kothari Group.
The project is expected to generate 50,000 jobs.

To enhance gem and jewellery exports, India has signed MoUs with Thailand’s jewellery trade, targeting 15 per cent of Thailand’s total import. India’s exports saw a 12.11 per cent decline in the first ten months of FY25. The MoUs aim to harmonize gemstone standards, boost trade in coloured gemstones, and foster innovation in silver jewellery.

The 110-year-old property at Flora Fountain was previously leased to Spanish retailer Zara that shut the store earlier this month after nearly eight years of operations.