Apparels

Sharp wage hikes are triggering a cost shock, severely squeezing margins for NCR textile and apparel manufacturers.
MSMEs are most vulnerable, with rising labour costs threatening financial stability and operations.
Industry fears loss of competitiveness.
Unrest and policy uncertainty risk damaging NCR’s credibility as a reliable manufacturing hub.

The Clinique and M.A.C owner, which is in talks to merge with Jean ​Paul Gaultier-owner Puig, said it now expects a total reduction of 9,000 to 10,000 positions, up ​from a prior estimate of as many as 7,000, and aims to save as much as $1.2 billion in costs.

Brazil’s apparel imports have more than doubled in five years, with 2026 maintaining strong momentum.
Q1 alone accounts for nearly one-third of 2025’s total, signalling potential record highs.
Growth is driven by resilient demand and rising import dependence, with a clear shift towards affordable, high-volume basics like T-shirts over premium segments.

Crocs has reported better-than-expected Q1 2026 results, with revenue at $921 million, down 1.7 per cent, driven by 12.1 per cent DTC growth. Gross margin fell to 56.8 per cent, while EPS dipped to $2.71.
The Crocs brand grew modestly, but HEYDUDE declined.
CEO Andrew Rees highlighted strong consumer demand and raised FY26 guidance, projecting EPS of $13.20-13.75.

Columbia Sportswear Company has raised its FY26 outlook, projecting $3.43-3.5 billion in sales and EPS of $3.55-4, aided by tariff relief.
Q1 sales were flat at $779 million, with profit declining due to US weakness and tariffs.
International growth remained strong.
The company expects wholesale recovery in H2.
Q2 sales are seen at $600-610 million, with a wider operating loss anticipated.

Puma has reported a 1 per cent decline in Q1 FY26 revenue to €1,863.8 million (~$2.18 billion), with a sharper 6.3 per cent drop on a reported basis due to currency headwinds.
Gross margin improved to 47.7 per cent, supported by cost efficiencies and inventory clearance.
The company reaffirmed its FY26 outlook, expecting sales pressure and negative EBIT as it continues restructuring.

India has aligned RoDTEP schedules with the amended customs tariff structure, effective May 1, 2026.
The revision updates Appendix 4R and 4RE, impacting 194 tariff lines with additions, deletions and modifications.
It aims to ensure seamless system integration, reduce classification ambiguity and improve export processing.
The move ensures continuity in duty remission benefits.

India’s burgeoning digital gold sector is on the cusp of formal regulation as the government explores an oversight framework. Fintech founders have urged finance ministry officials to address the industry’s rapid growth and lack of current legislation.

Textile mfg contracts 3.6% in March and apparel production plunges 14.6%.

The US Forced Labor Working Group has urged the USTR not to impose Section 301 tariffs, as these would be counterproductive, legally unwarranted, and harmful to commerce.
If this probe leads to tariff actions, good actors that have invested in forced-labor compliance would face higher costs, with no benefit, while bad actors would gain by sourcing from lower-cost alternatives in regions with less oversight