Apparels

In February, the government had restricted the imports of certain articles of platinum to curb illicit platinum blended with significant amounts of gold.

Turkiye’s apparel exports fell 2.88 per cent YoY to $2.599 billion in January-February 2026, pressured by weak EU demand, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of shipments.
Knitted exports dipped 1.6 per cent, while woven declined 4.6 per cent.
Rising costs and currency volatility continue to erode competitiveness, extending a three-year export decline trend.

Allbirds has entered a definitive agreement to sell its intellectual property and select assets to American Exchange Group for an estimated $39 million, subject to shareholder approval.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which the company plans to dissolve and distribute remaining net proceeds to shareholders in the third quarter, following wind-down costs.

Western sportswear markets are saturating, with legacy brands losing share to agile challengers.
Growth momentum is shifting towards Asia, particularly India, driven by rising incomes and fitness trends.
India’s low per-capita spend signals significant headroom for expansion.
However, competition is intensifying from both global entrants and emerging local D2C brands.

Nike has reported decline in Q3 FY26, with revenue at $11.3 billion, down 3 per cent YoY, reflecting DTC weakness and mixed regional trends.
Wholesale growth and modest Nike Brand gains provided some support.
Margins contracted but remained better than expected, while net income fell 35 per cent.
China weakness and broader cost pressures weighed on EBIT across regions.

Exports to the US declined by around 6% in dollar terms during the first nine months of FY26, reflecting the impact of tariff pressures on demand. This was partly offset by increased shipments to other geographies such as Europe and the UAE, the report said.

Germany’s apparel imports rebounded to $46.8 billion in 2025, surpassing the 2022 peak, driven by resilient consumer demand and stable sourcing strategies.
The growth followed a dip in 2023, with China, Bangladesh, and Turkiye leading suppliers, while diversification across Asian markets supported recovery despite ongoing economic pressures.

The government has also extended by 30 days the period for re-import of gems and jewellery exported for holding or participating in overseas exhibitions, over and above the existing applicable period.

Asia’s textile sector is facing a hidden inventory crisis, with mills operating below capacity and stockpiles rising across yarn, fabric, and finished goods.
Weak global demand and continued production are creating a structural imbalance, locking up working capital and pressuring margins.
Freight delays and higher costs are further slowing inventory movement, extending liquidity stress.

India, China and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing markets globally for ZEISS. In terms of consumer trends, India is a very early adopter, Carl Zeiss Vision Vice President – Head of Global Brand Management, Charlotte Hamel and its Head of Global Sales Operations & Emerging Markets, Boris Dejonckheere, told PTI in a joint interview.