Latest News from Fibre2Fashion
Fibre2Fashion
an hour ago
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Italy's coat exports fall below $1 billion in January-March 2025
Insights Italy's coat exports fell * * . * * per cent to $ * * * . * * * million in Q * * * * * , slipping below the $ * billion mark for the first time in years. . per cent to $ . million in Q , slipping below the $ billion mark for the first time in years. Total apparel exports dropped * * . * * per cent to $ * . * * billion. . per cent to $ . billion. Trousers, jerseys, shirts, and T-shirts also saw sharp declines. Europe remained the top regional market, while the US led as the top individual country buyer. To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. Latest News Insights Latest News Insights Exclusive Industry Articles & Features Exclusive Industry Articles & Features Detailed Article Analytics & Insights Digital Edition of Fibre2Fashion Magazine Digital Edition of Fibre2Fashion Magazine Get notified in your mailbox
Fibre2Fashion
an hour ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US' INDA unveils conference programme for WOW 2025
INDA, the association of the nonwoven fabrics industry, has announced the release of the full conference programme for the World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference, taking place July 21–24, 2025, in Ohio. This year's theme, 'Wipe to Win: Innovating for a Sustainable and Profitable Future,' will bring together industry leaders to address pressing challenges and opportunities across the wipes value chain. Programme topics will include US manufacturing threats, tariff and regulatory impacts, fibre sustainability, consumer perceptions, fragrance trends, slitting advancements, plastic-free wipe innovations, sports hygiene, and flushability, INDA said on its website. INDA has released the full programme for the 2025 World of Wipes (WOW) Conference, set for July 21â€'24 in Ohio. Under the theme 'Wipe to Win', the event will explore US manufacturing challenges, tariffs, sustainability, consumer trends, plastic-free innovations, and more. Highlights include expert panels and sessions on eco-friendly wipes, fragrance trends, and market shifts. The upcoming conference will feature a dynamic lineup of sessions addressing the latest challenges and innovations in manufacturing and the wipes industry. Highlights include panel discussions such as Navigating the Headwinds: US Manufacturing Threats & Challenges in 2025 and 'The Great Regulatory and Tariff Pow-WOW. Other sessions explore sustainability and consumer trends, with topics like From Forest to Flush: Sustainability and Responsibility in Fibre and Wipes, Trends, Tushes & TikToks: The Rise of the Modern Wipe, and No Plastic, No Problem: The Next Generation of Eco-Wise Wipes. Additional engaging sessions include Sniff, Save, Slice: Rethinking Wipes from Fragrance to Finish and Swipe Right: The New Faces of Specialty Wipes, offering attendees insights into both environmental responsibility and market evolution. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Fibre2Fashion
an hour ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
ILO cuts projection in 2025 global employment growth from 1.7% to 1.5%
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently revised its global employment forecast for 2025, projecting the creation of 53 million jobs instead of 60 million estimated earlier. This translates into a reduction in global employment growth from 1.7 per cent to 1.5 per cent this year. ILO recently revised its global employment forecast for 2025, projecting the creation of 53 million jobs instead of 60 million estimated earlier, translating into a reduction in global employment growth from 1.7 per cent to 1.5 per cent. Nearly 84 million jobs across 71 countries tied to US consumer demand are now increasingly at risk of disruption due to elevated trade tensions, ILO said. The drop—the equivalent of around 7 million fewer additional jobs—reflects a downgraded global economic outlook, as gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected at 2.8 per cent—down from a previous projection of 3.2 per cent. ILO's latest employment estimates, issued in its new World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Update, are based on economic growth projections from the recently released International Monetary Fund's (IMF) April 2025 World Economic Outlook. In addition, the ILO estimates that close to 84 million jobs across 71 countries are directly or indirectly tied to US consumer demand. These jobs—and the incomes they support—are now increasingly at risk of disruption due to elevated trade tensions, an ILO release said. The Asia-Pacific region is where most of these jobs—56 million—are concentrated. Canada and Mexico, however, have the highest share of jobs—17.1 per cent—that are exposed. 'We know that the global economy is growing at a slower pace than we had anticipated it would. Our report now tells us that if geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions continue, and if we do not address fundamental questions that are reshaping the world of work, then they will most certainly have negative ripple effects on labour markets worldwide,' said ILO director general Gilbert F Houngbo. The report also highlights troubling trends in income distribution. The labour income share—which is the proportion of GDP going to workers—fell globally from 53 per cent in 2014 to 52.4 per cent in 2024. Africa and the Americas saw the largest declines. Had this share remained unchanged, labour income globally would have been $1 trillion higher in 2024, or $290 more per worker in constant purchasing power terms. This erosion in the share of global income going to workers puts upward pressure on inequality and highlights a disconnect between economic growth and worker compensation, ILO noted. The report points to a shift in employment towards high-skilled jobs. Women are leading this trend. Between 2013 and 2023, the share of women employed in high-skilled occupations rose from 21.2 to 23.2 per cent, while the proportion of men in high-skilled occupations was around 18 per cent in 2023. Yet occupational segregation persists, with women underrepresented in sectors such as construction and overrepresented in clerical and caregiving roles. And while educational attainment continues to rise worldwide, the labour market remains characterised by significant educational mismatches, ILO said. The report also addresses the effects of new technologies on the world of work. It finds that nearly one in four workers may find their jobs transformed by generative artificial intelligence (AI). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fibre2Fashion
an hour ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Textiles face complex origin verification, FTA compliance: ePost
Amid heightened scrutiny of the US de minimis rule, escalating tariff tensions, and stricter customs enforcement in key global markets, a new analysis from ePost Global highlights a troubling trend: the most valuable product categories are also the most exposed to regulatory complexity. Leading the list is apparel and textiles, which account for 39.2 per cent of shipment value and are subject to intricate origin verification processes and stringent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) compliance requirements. Cross-border e-commerce has hit a regulatory wall that's driving up costs and catching retailers unprepared. The study of 15.6 million international shipments worth $421 million has revealed that nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of product categories now fall into tariff-sensitive classifications, with customs authorities around the world significantly ramping up enforcement. A new ePost Global report warns that cross-border e-commerce is facing rising regulatory challenges, with apparel and textiles (39.2 per cent of shipment value) hit hardest by complex origin checks and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) compliance requirements. Of 15.6 million shipments analyzed, 73 per cent fall under tariff-sensitive categories. Findings from ePost's 2025 Shipping Optimisation Analysis Report expose a hidden crisis brewing in global retail supply chains, with 42 per cent of shipment value now tied to high-complexity customs categories that face intense scrutiny—such as electronics, luxury goods, and food items. "Retailers are sailing into a perfect storm of regulatory changes," said Kelly Martinez, founder and co-president of ePost Global . "The cross-border boom that fuelled e-commerce growth is now confronting a wall of protectionist policies, with customs authorities converting what used to be routine shipments into complex compliance challenges." "The rules of global commerce are being rewritten in real time," said Martinez. "Brands that thrived in the era of simplified cross-border shipping now find themselves facing a maze of regulatory hurdles that can demolish profit margins overnight if they're unprepared." The data reveals key strategic advantages for retailers who adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape. Notably, 97 per cent of all shipments still qualify under the EU's €150 (~$170.31) de minimis threshold, presenting a significant opportunity for cost-effective cross-border sales. Additionally, with over 52 per cent of product categories averaging under $20 in value, there is untapped potential for consolidation strategies. By adopting value-based shipping models, retailers can better navigate tariff challenges—an increasingly important tactic as recent policy shifts close loopholes that once allowed low-value packages to enter duty-free. ePost's analysis further shows that retailers who systematically address four critical documentation elements—product descriptions, HS codes, declared values, and country of origin—can gain significant advantages in speed-to-customer and cost efficiency. "What used to be back-office paperwork decisions have become make-or-break factors for international retail strategy," Martinez warned. "A single misclassified shipment or incomplete customs form can trigger cascading delays, fines, and customer disappointment that damages brand reputation." Furthermore, Alison Layfield, director of product development at ePost Global , cautions that "defaulting on HS codes is no longer safe – your product could end up with a 25 per cent tariff. Customs is now requiring accurate classifications, which equates to clear descriptions, correct HS codes, declared value and actual country of origin based on the manufacturer." Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Fibre2Fashion
8 hours ago
- Business
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US' Abercrombie raises FY25 sales outlook slightly after 8% Q1 surge
American lifestyle retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co has reported a net sale of $1.1 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of fiscal 2025 (FY25), an increase of 8 per cent year-over-year (YoY), with comparable sales increasing 4 per cent YoY. The operating income of the company reached $102 million, though the margin narrowed to 9.3 per cent from 12.7 per cent in the same period a year earlier. Earnings per diluted share stood at $1.59, down from $2.14 in Q1 FY24. Abercrombie & Fitch Co has reported net sales of $1.1 billion in Q1 FY25, up 8 per cent YoY, led by 22 per cent growth in Hollister brand. The operating margin declined to 9.3 per cent, with EPS at $1.59. EMEA sales rose 12 per cent. FY25 outlook sees lowered EPS and margin guidance, steady capex of $200 million, and Q2 sales growth forecast at 3â€'5 per cent. The company saw broad-based regional growth, with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) sales rising 12 per cent, Americas up 7 per cent, and Asia-Pacific (APAC) improving 5 per cent, Abercrombie said in a press release. Brand-wise, Hollister led the performance with a 22 per cent YoY increase in net sales, while Abercrombie brands declined 4 per cent, following a strong 31 per cent surge in the same quarter last fiscal. 'We delivered record first quarter net sales with 8 per cent growth to last year. This was above our expectations and was supported by broad-based growth across our three regions. Hollister brands led the performance with growth of 22 per cent, achieving its best ever first quarter net sales, while Abercrombie brands net sales were down 4 per cent against 31 per cent sales growth in 2024,' said Fran Horowitz, chief executive officer (CEO) at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 'We exceeded our expectations on the bottom line as well, with operating margin of 9.3 per cent and earnings per share of $1.59. We also returned excess cash to shareholders through share repurchases totalling $200 million in the quarter, marking our fifth consecutive quarter of share repurchases,' added Horowitz. 'As we navigate the current environment, we have the team and proven capabilities in place to read, react and adapt, while continuing to deliver for customers globally. Importantly, with a strong foundation, we remain on offense and focused on top-line growth, store expansion, and investments in digital and technology that will enable sustainable long-term success.' Abercrombie has revised its fiscal 2025 outlook and now it anticipates net sales growth in the range of 3 to 6 per cent, slightly higher than its previous 3 to 5 per cent forecast. However, it has cut its projected operating margin to 12.5–13.5 per cent from 14–15 per cent and lowered its net income per diluted share estimate to between $9.5 and $10.5, down from $10.4 to $11.4. Capital expenditures (capex) are expected to remain at approximately $200 million, in line with its previous guidance. It also plans for 60 store openings, 20 closures, and 40 remodels or right-sizings, added the release. For the second quarter (Q2) FY25, Abercrombie projects net sales growth of 3 to 5 per cent, an operating margin of 12 to 13 per cent, and earnings per diluted share of $2.1 to $2.3. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
