Khadi, the handmade fabric associated with Indian freedom struggle, is back in vogue if its sales are any indication. Sales of khadi, including solar and poly vastra, registered a sharp 24.71 per cent increase to ₹2,503 crore in fiscal 2017-18, over sales of ₹2,503 crore during the previous fiscal, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) said. According to KVIC, “the total average khadi sale, which was ₹914.07 crore during the years 2004 to 2014, jumped to ͅ

Bangladesh's DBL Group, a diversified business conglomerate with textile and apparel manufacturing facilities, plans to set up a processing unit fully dedicated to synthetics, according to company marketing head Shohidul Islam. The company will also focus on seamless knitting for intimates in the near future, he said in an interview with Fibre2Fashion. The company’s vertically-integrated production facility is strengthening its verticals with more varieties. In spinning, it has introduced m

Adoption of the genetically modified (GM) cotton, commonly known as Bt Cotton, could result in a three-fold increase in cotton production in Kenya, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has said in its latest bulletin for the second quarter. The growing of GM cotton has the potential to create up to 600,000 jobs in cotton value-chain, the AFA said. Kenya must set up a farm-to-factory supply chain for domestically grown cotton while discouraging import of fabric and clothing items, AFA sa

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has expressed disappointment over US plans to move ahead with tariffs on $50 billion worth Chinese imports that will lead to higher costs for US consumers, fewer jobs and retaliation. Job-killing tariffs aren’t the answer to China’s worrisome trade practices, NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “As the US and China prepare for another round of negotiations, we hope the administration has clearly defined objectives and concrete soluti

The unemployment rate in the US has reached its lowest since April 2000, as many industries including retail continue to hire. According to the National Retail Federation, the retail industry employment was up by 28,800 jobs seasonally adjusted in May over April and 100,200 jobs unadjusted year-over-year. Overall, US businesses added 223,000 jobs in May. “May’s rebound in jobs together with the report of solid income growth and the rise in consumer confidence points to the economy functioni

The net revenue of Guess for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 14.7 per cent to $521.3 million, compared to $454.3 million in the prior-year quarter. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 7.7 per cent. The company recorded GAAP net loss of $21.2 million, a 0.3 per cent improvement compared to $21.3 million for the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the company posted adjusted net loss of $17.8 million, a 7.9 per cent improvement compared to $19.4

Cotton USA, which promotes US cotton fibre and manufactured cotton products globally, participated in the Apparel Sourcing Show 2018, which was held from May 15 to 17, 2018, at the Guatemala City in US. Fourteen US textile mills were showcased as part of the Cotton USA Sourcing Programme pavilion at the global apparel and textile industry fair. US mills were featured in the show’s directory, on banners throughout the show, and on bags given to each attendee. Approximately 120 representativ

Featuring 139 exhibitors from 17 countries, Apparel Textile Sourcing (ATS) - Miami showcased textiles, trims and accessories, manufacturing and private development services and finished apparel at the recently concluded exhibition. The three-day tradefair is the first Miami-based sourcing trade event to host the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. "This shows us that there was a true need to create a comprehensive sourcing platform in the Miami marketplace. I am confident that the s

The Indian finance and textile ministries have refused to allow the refund of input tax credit (ITC) to the power loom weaving sector. This was conveyed recently to Synthetic and Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) chairman Narain Agarwal by finance minister Piyush Goyal and textile minister Smriti Irani in separate meetings in New Delhi. Both the ministers categorically refused to allow ITC refund to the power loom weaving sector and stated that the accumulation of ITC in othe

The US Home Fashion Products Association (HFPA) has rebutted the argument for tariffs on Chinese textiles imports. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) gave testimony to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in favour of such tariffs on May 17. The US Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) and Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI) also back the tariffs. As the shift of home textiles manufacturing to Asia was highly disruptive, several companies did not survive the transit