Clothes at what cost? French fast fashion bill puts onus on Chinese brands
France's senate passed a bill to curb advertising and tax pollution on fast fashion, with lawmakers even talking up the distinction of ultra fast fashion - garments made in a hurry - more and more using polyester and other polluting plastics, shipped at warp speed by plane and which fall apart after only a few washes.
Has the bill been partially stripped bare though? The new version seems to include a carve-out for European giants that peddle cheap clothes with the focus mostly now on China.
In fact, Europeans like the Trump administration are working to close the tax loophole on the kind of small parcels that go out by the millions from small garment factories in China. And while the likes of Shein and Temu enroll big names to lobby, including a former European Commissioner and a former interior minister of Emmanuel Macron, we asked who's winning the hearts and minds of consumers in this battle over an industry that represents up to ten percent of humanity's carbon footprint.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
27 minutes ago
- Fashion Network
Hudson's Bay files for bankruptcy, shuts down operations
"After 355 years, it is time to say goodbye." With this message, Canadian department store chain Hudson's Bay is closing its doors for good. The company has filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its assets, resulting in the loss of more than 9,000 jobs. It marks the end of an era for a historic retail institution: Hudson's Bay opened North America's first department store and was one of the continent's oldest continuously operating companies. Here is a look back at the rise and fall of this retail icon. Hudson's Bay's origins trace back to 1670, when two French fur traders— known as coureurs des bois— founded the company with the backing of England's King Charles II. Pierre- Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart des Groseilliers established several trading posts to collect and ship animal pelts, mainly beaver. According to Quebec newspaper Le Devoir, these operations expanded with little "consideration for Indigenous populations." The company's influence, driven by its exploitation of local land and maritime resources, soon extended from Canada's far north to as far south as San Francisco, playing a key role in shaping the economy of the so-called "New World." As the Industrial Revolution and the decline of the fur trade reshaped the market, Hudson's Bay's trading posts gradually evolved into retail stores. From the 1880s onward, the company built a nationwide department store network. Over the decades, it acquired several Canadian chains, including Simpsons, Woodward's and Zellers, while its signature multi-colored stripes became an enduring emblem. The company briefly ventured into Europe, acquiring Germany's Galeria Kaufhof in 2015 and taking over the Netherlands' V&D retail network in 2017. However, facing financial losses, Hudson's Bay divested its European operations by 2019. Ninety-six stores affected In Canada, Hudson's Bay's decline began over the past decade. The company operated 80 Hudson's Bay stores positioned in the upscale segment, along with three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks OFF 5TH outlets. Business further deteriorated after the pandemic, with the company citing the fast-changing retail landscape and elevated U.S. tariffs as key challenges. Owned since 2008 by U.S.-based NRDC Equity Partners, the company sought creditor protection in April 2025 under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), citing difficulties meeting its financial obligations. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, the company failed to secure funding for a potential restructuring and ultimately moved toward full liquidation. In recent weeks, stores sold off remaining inventory ahead of a June 1 closing date. The closures led to 8,300 job losses across retail locations, with nearly 1,000 additional layoffs expected in offices and logistics centers by mid-June. Local media reported widespread emotion among longtime employees— some with three decades of service— and among customers who associate Hudson's Bay with family memories. However, the brand name, emblems and logos will live on. In mid-May, Canadian retail group Canadian Tire acquired the rights for 30 million Canadian dollars (19 million euros). A 'strategic and patriotic' choice "It is difficult to witness the final days of another iconic Canadian retailer. While the circumstances are unfortunate, we are proud to step in for customers. This decision is both strategic and patriotic," said Canadian Tire president Greg Hicks. The company plans to integrate Hudson's Bay's signature stripes into its private label products and has reportedly submitted bids for several store leases. Up to 28 store leases could also be transferred to Chinese billionaire Ruby Liu, a shopping center owner planning to launch a new department store chain in Canada.
Fashion Network
28 minutes ago
- Fashion Network
Hudson's Bay files for bankruptcy, shuts down operations
"After 355 years, it is time to say goodbye." With this message, Canadian department store chain Hudson's Bay is closing its doors for good. The company has filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its assets, resulting in the loss of more than 9,000 jobs. It marks the end of an era for a historic retail institution: Hudson's Bay opened North America's first department store and was one of the continent's oldest continuously operating companies. Here is a look back at the rise and fall of this retail icon. Hudson's Bay's origins trace back to 1670, when two French fur traders— known as coureurs des bois— founded the company with the backing of England's King Charles II. Pierre- Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart des Groseilliers established several trading posts to collect and ship animal pelts, mainly beaver. According to Quebec newspaper Le Devoir, these operations expanded with little "consideration for Indigenous populations." The company's influence, driven by its exploitation of local land and maritime resources, soon extended from Canada's far north to as far south as San Francisco, playing a key role in shaping the economy of the so-called "New World." As the Industrial Revolution and the decline of the fur trade reshaped the market, Hudson's Bay's trading posts gradually evolved into retail stores. From the 1880s onward, the company built a nationwide department store network. Over the decades, it acquired several Canadian chains, including Simpsons, Woodward's and Zellers, while its signature multi-colored stripes became an enduring emblem. The company briefly ventured into Europe, acquiring Germany's Galeria Kaufhof in 2015 and taking over the Netherlands' V&D retail network in 2017. However, facing financial losses, Hudson's Bay divested its European operations by 2019. Ninety-six stores affected In Canada, Hudson's Bay's decline began over the past decade. The company operated 80 Hudson's Bay stores positioned in the upscale segment, along with three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks OFF 5TH outlets. Business further deteriorated after the pandemic, with the company citing the fast-changing retail landscape and elevated U.S. tariffs as key challenges. Owned since 2008 by U.S.-based NRDC Equity Partners, the company sought creditor protection in April 2025 under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), citing difficulties meeting its financial obligations. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, the company failed to secure funding for a potential restructuring and ultimately moved toward full liquidation. In recent weeks, stores sold off remaining inventory ahead of a June 1 closing date. The closures led to 8,300 job losses across retail locations, with nearly 1,000 additional layoffs expected in offices and logistics centers by mid-June. Local media reported widespread emotion among longtime employees— some with three decades of service— and among customers who associate Hudson's Bay with family memories. However, the brand name, emblems and logos will live on. In mid-May, Canadian retail group Canadian Tire acquired the rights for 30 million Canadian dollars (19 million euros). A 'strategic and patriotic' choice "It is difficult to witness the final days of another iconic Canadian retailer. While the circumstances are unfortunate, we are proud to step in for customers. This decision is both strategic and patriotic," said Canadian Tire president Greg Hicks. The company plans to integrate Hudson's Bay's signature stripes into its private label products and has reportedly submitted bids for several store leases. Up to 28 store leases could also be transferred to Chinese billionaire Ruby Liu, a shopping center owner planning to launch a new department store chain in Canada.
France 24
31 minutes ago
- France 24
Manhandling of US senator ups California tensions with Trump admin
The shocking incident, which came after the Republican president sent troops into Los Angeles over the objections of local and state officials, was swiftly slammed by furious Democrats who said it "reeks of totalitarianism." Video footage shows Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, being pushed from the room at a federal building in Los Angeles as he tried to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the raids. "I'm Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary," he said as two men grappled with him in front of journalists, including from AFP. Footage filmed by Padilla's staff outside the room shows the senator being pushed to the ground and handcuffed. Democratic-led California is currently embroiled in battles with the White House on several fronts, with Governor Gavin Newsom branding Trump "dictatorial" as his lawyers prepared to face off with the administration over the deployment of 4,700 troops to the city. "If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question... you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community," Padilla told reporters later at a press conference. The incident "reeks of totalitarianism," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, calling for an investigation. "Trump and his shock troops are out of control," Newsom posted on social media. The White House hit back, claiming it was a "theater-kid stunt" and claiming without evidence that Padilla "lunged toward Secretary Noem." Noem slammed Padilla's interruption as "inappropriate." A Homeland Security spokesman said she later met with the senator for 15 minutes. Noem was addressing reporters after almost a week of demonstrations in Los Angeles ignited by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The mostly-peaceful demonstrations have been marred by some eye-catching violence, with cars torched and rocks thrown at police officers. Trump, who has repeatedly exaggerated the scale of the unrest, deployed 4,000 National Guard as well as 700 US Marines. Critics have accused the Republican of a power grab and a judge was set to review the deployments' legality. Trump took credit Thursday for making Los Angeles "safe and sound." Anger at Trump's crackdown and the use of masked, armed immigration agents, backed by uniformed soldiers, is spreading to other cities. Nationwide protests were planned for Saturday. 'Fear and terror' A federal judge in San Francisco was set to hear arguments on whether use of the troops is constitutional, with Newsom alleging the president "is creating fear and terror." Trump on Thursday said Newsom -- seen as a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 -- had "totally lost control of the situation" and should thank him for "saving his ass." California also sued Trump's administration Thursday over his move to scrap the state's tailpipe emission rules and its drive to phase out gas-powered cars. Trump was elected last year after campaigning on a promise to launch historic mass deportations. But with his mounting crackdown rippling through industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor -- such as farming, construction and hospitality -- Trump on Thursday said he had heard employers' complaints and hinted at a forthcoming policy shift. "We're going to have an order on that pretty soon, I think. We can't do that to our farmers -- and leisure too, hotels," he said. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke up Thursday, saying she had told a visiting US official that "we didn't agree with the use of raids to detain people working honestly in the United States." Protests also took place in Spokane, Seattle, Tucson, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston, according to US media. A nationwide "No Kings" movement was expected on Saturday, when Trump will attend a highly unusual military parade in the US capital. The Washington parade, featuring warplanes and tanks, has been organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army but also happens to be the day of Trump's 79th birthday.
