Retail trade weakens but manufacturing lifts Italian outlook
Retail trade sentiment slipped to 101.9 from 102.8. While assessments on current sales improved (up from 15.1 to 19), business trend expectations deteriorated sharply (dropping from 21.7 to 14.7). Inventory levels saw a marginal decline.
Italy's consumer confidence edged down to 96.1 in June 2025, weighed by weaker personal and current sentiment, despite improved economic outlook, as per Istat. Retail trade sentiment declined, led by falling business expectations. In contrast, the Economic Sentiment Indicator rose to 93.9. Manufacturing and market services showed moderate gains.
However, business confidence presented a more upbeat picture, with Istat's Economic Sentiment Indicator (IESI) climbing from 93.1 to 93.9.
Manufacturing confidence improved modestly, rising from 86.6 to 87.3, supported by stronger production expectations (balance up from -1.3 to 1), despite slightly weaker order book assessments and lower stock levels.
Market services showed a positive trend, with confidence increasing to 95.6 from 94.5, as firms reported greater optimism in current business conditions and more favourable order book evaluations.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fibre2Fashion
15 hours ago
- Fibre2Fashion
Revenue, registrations growth shows EU e-com VAT reforms' success
More than €33 billion (~$38.76 billion) in value-added tax (VAT) revenues were collected last year via the European Union's (EU) e-commerce VAT systems, new figures from EU member states show. This is a clear sign that the 2021 reforms are delivering on their promise to simplify compliance, support businesses and ensure fairer taxation, an official release from the bloc said. Through a single registration in one member state, the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) allow businesses to declare and remit VAT for cross-border sales of goods and services within the EU, as well as for imports of low-value goods. More than €33 billion (~$38.76 billion) in value-added tax (VAT) revenues were collected last year via the EU's e-commerce VAT systems, new figures from EU member states show. The latest figures confirm that businesses continue to make full use of these simplifications, which cut red tape and compliance costs. At the same time, the number of registered traders continues to grow steadily. The latest figures confirm that businesses continue to make full use of these simplifications, which cut red tape and compliance costs, ensuring the collection of VAT as well. In 2024 alone, over €24 billion was declared via the Union OSS, €2.8 billion via the non-Union OSS, and €6.3 billion through the Import OSS, representing a 26-per cent increase year on year (YoY). Since the reforms were introduced in mid-2021, member states have collected nearly €88 billion in VAT under the OSS and IOSS schemes. At the same time, the number of registered traders continues to grow steadily. By the end of 2024, over 170,000 businesses had signed up to the OSS and IOSS frameworks, with a notable increase of more than 20,000 new registrations in the Union OSS alone over the past year. These figures set the stage for further simplifications to come with the VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) package and the ongoing EU Customs Reform, to make the system even more efficient, fair, and fraud resistant. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Fibre2Fashion
Drewry WCI slides 3% as pre-tariff rush fades
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI)—a composite measure of container freight rates—declined for the sixth consecutive week, falling by 3.22 per cent to $2,517 per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) on July 24, down from $2,602 per FEU the previous week. This ongoing downturn follows an earlier period of volatility triggered by higher US tariffs announced in April this year. The market's reaction to the tariffs was delayed by about a month, with rates beginning to climb in May and surging through the first week of June. However, this trend has since reversed, with rates falling consistently since mid-June, indicating that the tariffs' initial market impact was not sustained. Drewry World Container Index fell 3.22 per cent to $2,517/FEU on July 24, marking its sixth straight weekly decline. Transpacific rates dropped sharply, with Shanghaiâ€'New York down 7 per cent. As pre-tariff shipping demand fades, rates are expected to continue falling. Drewry warns of further weakness in H2 2025, amid uncertainty over President Trump's tariffs and potential US penalties on Chinese vessels. Transpacific spot rates declined this week, with Shanghai–Los Angeles rates down 5 per cent ($2,675/FEU) and Shanghai–New York down 7 per cent ($4,210/FEU). With the temporary suspension of higher US tariffs on Chinese products set to end in mid-August, shipping lines are cutting services across the Pacific by cancelling more sailings. As the rush to ship cargo before the tariff increase is now over, Drewry expects spot rates on this trade lane to continue falling next week. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam dipped 1 per cent to $3,286 per 40-foot container, while Shanghai to Genoa fell 2 per cent to $3,376. Rotterdam to Shanghai remained steady at $495, and New York to Rotterdam was also stable at $875. However, rates from Rotterdam to New York increased by 2 per cent to $2,033 per 40-foot container. Drewry's Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken again in the second half of 2025, which will cause spot rates to decline. The volatility and timing of these rate changes will depend on President Trump's future tariff decisions and capacity shifts related to the possible introduction of US penalties on Chinese ships, which remain uncertain. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Fibre2Fashion
Germany's Puma revises 2025 outlook amid sales dip & tariff impact
German sports apparel and footwear company Puma has reported preliminary results in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, witnessing a currency-adjusted (ca) decline of 2 per cent in its sales to reach €1,942 million. Currency headwinds significantly impacted reported figures, reducing sales by approximately €135 million, or 8.3 per cent. The gross profit margin declined 70 basis points (bps) to 46.1 per cent due to increased promotional activity and adverse currency effects. The adjusted EBIT of the company fell to €13.2 million, further impacted by lower margins. The company reported one-time costs of €84.6 million (~$99 million). The quarter closed with a net loss of €247 million (~$291.46 million). North America was down by 9.1 per cent YoY, Europe saw a decline of 3.9 per cent YoY, and Greater China went down by 3.9 per cent, while Latin America was up 16.1 per cent and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) increased by 0.5 per cent, Puma said in a press release. Puma has reported a 2 per cent sales decline in Q2 2025 to €1.94 billion (~$2.27 billion), with net loss at €247 million (~$291.46 million) due to lower margins and €84.6 million (~$99 million) in one-time costs. H1 sales dropped 1 per cent to €4.02 billion (~$4.70 billion). Weakened wholesale, US tariffs, and inventory build-up led to a revised forecast: full-year sales are now expected to decline. Segment-wise, wholesale business saw a declining performance of 6.3 per cent, offsetting a 9.2 per cent increase in direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, with e-commerce seeing double-digit growth. Category-wise, footwear grew 5.1 per cent, but this was offset by declines in apparel, which fell by 10.7 per cent, and accessories, which declined by 6.4 per cent. For the first half (H1) of 2025, preliminary sales dropped 1 per cent to €4.02 billion (~$4.7 billion) a drop of 4.8 per cent on reported basis, with adjusted EBIT at €62.5 million and one-time costs totalling €102.6 million. The net loss stood at €246.6 million. Inventories surged 18.3 per cent currency-adjusted to €2,151 million, driven by higher levels in key markets. Puma has revised its full-year guidance. Currency-adjusted sales have been forecast to decline by a low double-digit percentage (previously: a low- to mid-single-digit increase). EBIT for full-year 2025 has been expected to result in a loss (previously: €445 million to €525 million), reflecting softer topline performance, intensified currency headwinds, the impact of US tariffs, and additional one-off measures aimed at cost base alignment in H2 2025. An earnings outlook has been provided for reported EBIT only. Following the second-quarter results and the subdued growth outlook for the remainder of 2025, capital expenditure plans have been revised to around €250 million (previously: approximately €300 million). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
