Apparels

Deckers Brands has reported strong Q2 FY25 results, with net sales rising 9.1 per cent to $1.431 billion, driven by double-digit growth in Hoka and UGG.
Operating income reached $326.5 million, while EPS rose to $1.82.
The company expects FY26 net sales of $5.35 billion, a gross margin of 56 per cent, and EPS between $6.30 and $6.39, supported by continued global momentum.

The 2025 festive season has underscored a new trajectory for India’s apparel sector. With GST reduced to 5% on garments up to Rs 2,500 and raised to 18% on premium apparel, mid-tier and value segments have surged, while premium categories remain steady. Organised retail is set for 13-14% growth, aided by lower input costs and rising consumer demand. Brands like Lifestyle, Libas, Virgio, and Spykar are leveraging smart pricing, digital channels, and tier-2 expansion to capture evolving demand, marking a shift toward balanced, sustainable growth across price points.

In a dazzling seasonal shift, consumers are opting to swap out their vintage gold jewellery for trendy pieces, driving gold exchanges to unprecedented levels for industry giants like Tanishq and Reliance Retail. The current elevated gold prices are impacting how much buyers are willing to spend, prompting many to recycle their cherished pieces.

Silver prices have plummeted 17% from their record high, falling significantly due to improved supply in London and profit-taking by investors. Despite this dip, strong industrial demand and supply constraints suggest a continued positive long-term outlook for both silver and gold.

Billionaire investor Radhakishan Damani has invested approximately Rs 90 crore in Lenskart Solutions during a pre-IPO funding round. This investment precedes Lenskart’s upcoming Rs 2,150 crore maiden public offering, which will also involve promoters and existing investors offloading shares. The company plans to utilize the IPO proceeds for expanding its store network, technology investments, marketing, and potential acquisitions.

An Australian study reveals how low-cost and scalable strategies can reduce heat stress and protect worker productivity in Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
The team tested simple cooling interventions like insulated reflective roofs, electric fans and free access to drinking water.
Without cooling interventions, heat stress reduced work output by around 12-15 per cent.

Calvin Klein has launched Re-Calvin, a free US take-back programme with Trove and Debrand to promote circularity.
Customers can send clothing, shoes, and accessories from any brand for reuse, recycling, downcycling, or responsible disposal.
Notably, it accepts intimates, often excluded from such schemes, and provides full transparency through post-processing email updates.

Nike has launched Aero-FIT, a breakthrough cooling technology that channels over twice the airflow of previous materials, helping athletes perform in rising heat and humidity.
Debuting in 2026 football kits, Aero-FIT enhances sweating efficiency and comfort while reflecting Nike’s broader commitment to athlete-led, sustainable, and climate-conscious innovation.

US tariffs are hitting India’s carpet makers hard. The industry fears collapse if tariffs continue. New Delhi is exploring solutions, but local exporters say it will take time. This impacts peak export seasons and winter orders.

Though Bangladesh has met all three essential UN criteria for graduation from the LDC status, maintaining economic momentum and competitiveness after that needs significant internal restructuring, the ICCB has said.
An editorial in its latest newsletter said unless productivity improves and the country diversifies into new markets and higher-value apparel categories, the RMG industry’s edge may weaken.