Latest news with #GlobalSourcingExpo
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Impact of AI & e-commerce on Australia's fashion sector
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is embedded in every industry and is reshaping business as we know it. AI is transforming Australia's retail and fashion sectors, empowering businessesâ€'big and smallâ€'with smarter marketing, personalised experiences, and efficient operations. As e-commerce growth continues post-pandemic, success now hinges on using AI mindfully to scale, connect authentically with consumers, and stay competitive in a changing landscape. Australia has fast become one of the greatest adopters of AI, ranked 16th out of 36 countries in Stanford's AI Vibrancy Index and accelerated by well-developed cloud infrastructure and a relatively high digital maturity compared to other mid-sized economies. The country's retail and fashion sectors are prime examples of key industries embracing AI in new and transformative ways; from streamlining logistics to personalising customer experiences, AI is fast becoming an indispensable tool in both physical and online retail environments. Jenn Donovan, Director of Social Media & Marketing Australia and speaker at the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo, taking place at the Sydney ICC from 17 – 19 June, believes that - if used correctly - AI can quickly become one of the industry's greatest assets. 'AI is giving marketers in the retail industry a second set of hands – and sometimes even a second brain, ' she shares. ' It ' s helping us work smarter, not harder, by automating the repetitive stuff and giving us powerful insights into our audience ' s behaviour. ' One of its biggest advantages, however, lies in its accessibility, as Jenn explains: 'These tools aren't just for big businesses with big budgets – they're accessible and easy to use for time-poor small business owners.' When it comes to deploying AI, Jenn adds that content creation is the easiest starting point for most small businesses. 'Whether it's blog posts, social media posts, website write ups, magazine write ups or website descriptions, AI is supporting small businesses in their marketing efforts.' She points to tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, Opus Clip and Notion AI as some of the top platforms that should form part of every retailer's arsenal. eCommerce Five Years On The pandemic acted as a powerful accelerator for eCommerce growth. With lockdowns confining people to their homes, online spending surged to an unprecedented $50.46 billion in 2020 - a 57% increase from the previous year. By 2024, that momentum continued to grow, with eCommerce sales reaching AU$56.07 billion . Olivia Carr, Founder and CEO of Shhh Silk and speaker at Global Sourcing Expo has witnessed, and been a part of, the eCommerce evolution. 'The past five years have accelerated a fundamental shift in eCommerce, from transactional to transformational,' she says. 'We've witnessed firsthand how customers no longer just seek products; they seek brands that align with their values, understand their lifestyle and deliver emotionally resonant experiences.' She adds: 'We've responded by moving beyond simply selling silk pillowcases toward creating rituals and experiences that support rest, wellness and emotional reset.' Speaking to AI in small businesses, Olivia notes that AI, when used mindfully, can help us elevate this experience through more intuitive service and storytelling. However, faced with increasing operational costs, global competition and rising customer expectations some small businesses remain behind the curve. Another key challenge lies in balancing growth with integrity. 'To scale social impact authentically, eCommerce brands must define a clear mission, embed it into their product and customer experience and hold themselves accountable.' Looking ahead, as AI continues to evolve and embed itself within the retail and fashion sectors, Australian businesses – both big and small - are poised to benefit from smarter, more personalised and efficient operations. Meanwhile, the sustained growth of eCommerce reflects a permanent shift in consumer behaviour that shows no signs of slowing. Success will depend on how well brands balance innovation with authenticity, embracing technology like AI to enhance customer experience without losing sight of their core values. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion Value Chain
09-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
India Strengthens Trade Ties with Australia at Global Sourcing Expo Sydney 2025
India continues to play a major role in Australia's premier sourcing event, the Global Sourcing Expo, with long-standing and significant participation at the Melbourne edition, and rapidly growing interest in the Sydney edition. The Global Sourcing Expo Sydney, taking place on 17 – 19 July 2025, presents a powerful opportunity for Indian exporters to expand their presence in Australia. Final spots are now available for Indian exhibitors at subsidised rates, with national pavilions supported by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and the Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC). Having been a cornerstone of the Melbourne event since its inception over a decade ago, India's contribution has helped shape the Expo into one of the region's most important global sourcing destinations. Now, with two editions annually—in Melbourne and Sydney—Indian businesses have unprecedented access to key Australian markets year-round. The Sydney edition is gaining strong momentum. Last year's event recorded a 43% increase in visitor numbers, and this year's registration figures suggest another impressive turnout. Indian exhibitors will benefit from exposure to buyers from across Sydney, greater NSW, and Queensland. Why Indian Exporters Should Exhibit at Global Sourcing Expo Sydney: Australia ranks as the second-largest consumer of apparel and textiles per capita , and India is its fifth-largest trading partner . , and India is its . Indian exporters benefit from the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) —96% of Indian imports into Australia are now tariff-free, with 100% becoming tariff-free by January 1, 2026 . —96% of Indian imports into Australia are now tariff-free, with . India is recognised for its high-quality, sustainable textile products , a growing demand in the Australian market. , a growing demand in the Australian market. Continued support from leading Indian industry organisations such as FIEO and WWEPC ensures strong national representation. and ensures strong national representation. The Expo provides an ideal platform to explore new season opportunities across apparel, accessories, textiles, and homewares. Quote from WWEPC Executive Director, Suresh Thakur: 'The Global Sourcing Expo Sydney offers an outstanding platform for Indian wool and woollen textile exporters and international buyers to engage, collaborate and explore emerging market opportunities. Renowned for innovation, quality and sustainable practices, India's woollen textile sector is well-equipped to meet the dynamic needs of global consumers. With the India-Australia CEPA offering significant tariff advantages and zero-duty access for many Indian textile products, this is an opportune moment to strengthen trade ties. WWEPC is proud to be part of this prestigious event and looks forward to building deeper partnerships with Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We warmly invite all buyers to experience the excellence and diversity of Indian woollen products at the Expo.' Indian exporters are encouraged to secure their space now and take advantage of this opportunity to connect with the region's most influential retail buyers, importers, wholesalers, and sourcing professionals. For more information or to secure your place, visit:
Fibre2Fashion
29-04-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Australia leads fashion consumption; experts call for change
The 10th Edition of the Ethical Fashion Report by Baptist World Aid estimates that around 92,000 tonnes of textile waste is generated globally each year. Locally, around 22,000 tonnes of clothing waste are sent to landfills, equating to each Australian disposing of 23 kilograms of clothing annually. In 2024, Australia ranked top of the list when it came to the highest number of average items purchased per year, at 56 items per person, surpassing key consumer markets such as the US (53 items), China (30 items) and the United Kingdom (33 items). Australia leads global fashion consumption, buying 56 items per person annually, with 22,000 tonnes of clothing waste sent to landfills each year. The 10th Ethical Fashion Report highlights a need for better waste management and recycling, with only 7 per cent of discarded clothing being recycled. Experts urge manufacturers to rethink sourcing, production, and disposal to close the loop. Julie Holt, Event Director at the International Expo Group and organiser of the Global Sourcing Expo says that this systemic issue could further exacerbate ongoing issues in industry such as environmental pollution, greenwashing and a lack of accountability by some retailers. 'Every 10 minutes, Australians discard approximately 600 kilograms of clothing and textiles into landfill, while only 7% is recycled, according to the report. This highlights a significant environmental challenge - and an equally important opportunity to improve waste management practices.' Nehal Jain, Co-Founder of after and speaker at the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo Seminar Series , echoes this sentiment, 'Australia is now the largest consumer of fashion and textiles in the world, and we throw away just as much. On average, clothing is discarded after only seven wears.' Founded in 2022, after focuses on collecting and recycling unwearable textiles and works with governments, corporates, schools and retailers to make ethical disposal an option. It's also recently expanded its footprint to New Zealand. Jain acknowledges while there is a big second-hand (thrifting) culture in Australia, there are very few options for clothing that are unwearable, damaged, worn out and truly at the end of its life. 'We specifically focus on this overlooked category, collecting worn-out, unsellable and unusable textiles and ensuring they're ethically and sustainably upcycled or recycled into raw materials like yarn, so that they can re-enter the circular economy.' Progress is Being Made – But Is It Enough? Holt notes that although some progress has been made, there's a growing need for greater transparency and accountability across the supply chain. 'There's demand for full traceability throughout the entire retail supply chain,' she says. 'Implementing these measures will hold retailers accountable down to the last fibre of a garment and promote more sustainable sourcing.' Jain adds that more awareness by consumers will help to further drive change. 'Today's consumers are asking real questions about how products are made and what happens to them afterwards. It's no longer enough for businesses to ignore these concerns. That said, we don't believe the responsibility lies with just one group.' Out of 120 major retailers assessed in the Ethical Fashion Report, less than 30 scored 55 or higher out of 100 across key criteria - including policies and governance, tracing and risk, supplier relationships and human rights, worker empowerment and environmental sustainability. The average score was just 31, highlighting significant room for improvement in ethical supply chain practices. And with fashion in high demand, Holt says that there has never been a more pressing time to source ethically. 'Where there is demand, there is opportunity. We live in an age where retailers are actively advertising to us, regardless of whether we like it or not. Many fashion houses offer major discounts and these appeal to the younger generations, where fast fashion remains easily accessible and affordable.' What More Can be Done Right Now? Jain calls on manufacturers to rethink the way in which they produce, source and dispose of textiles. 'This not only includes designing items to reduce waste but also using services like after when waste is generated. It's about closing the loop both at the design phase and at the end-of-life stage,' she says. 'Start by taking a closer look at where textile waste is showing up in your business. It's not just about retail, there's often significant waste in demolitions, uniforms, promotional items and merchandise. Then ask, what happens to that material once it's no longer needed? Is there a recovery solution in place?' She adds, 'One thing that we always share with brands: don't be afraid of being honest. Consumers want transparency. Some companies hesitate to speak up about their sustainability efforts in case they're not 'perfect', but perfection isn't the goal. Brutal honesty builds trust. People appreciate progress - not greenwashing.' Holt concludes saying that platforms like the Global Sourcing Expo have never been more important than they are right now. 'Connecting a multitude of reputable suppliers in the supply chain in one room is key to the success – and sustainability – of our sector. Meeting with suppliers from around the world who understand their supply chain and source ethically is vitally important to securing our future.' Nehal Jain and Yesha Patel, founders of after will be speaking on Thursday, 19 June at the Seminar Series from 11.30 – 12.30, covering the topic of 'From Waste to Worth: Turning Textile Waste into Opportunity'. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
