INSIGHTS RE&UP Recycling Technologies, a circular-tech leader in textile-to-textile recycling, produces Next-Gen Cotton and Polyester with virgin-fibre performance. Winning the 2024 ITMF Start-up Award in Samarkand, RE&UP has also joined ITMF, a step Director General Christian Schindler praised as key to advancing industry circularity and fostering RE&UP's global network and data access. RE&UP Recycling Technologies is the circular-tech company reshaping the traditional textil

INSIGHTS ICE cotton futures fell to a one-month low due to the strengthening US dollar and declining crude oil prices. A higher dollar discouraged cotton purchases, while weaker oil reduced polyester production costs. USDA cut global cotton trade estimates, driven by lower Chinese import forecasts. December 2024 ICE cotton settled at 70.80 cents, with other contracts also seeing declines across the board. ICE cotton futures slipped to a one-month low due to the pressure from a stronger US dol

INSIGHTS Global cotton prices showed mixed trends over the past month. The NY/ICE futures and the A Index saw gains, with NY/ICE rising from below 70 to 74 cents/lb before stabilising at 72 cents/lb. China's cotton prices also increased, while Indian and Pakistani spot prices declined. Currency fluctuations had a minor impact, with the RMB slightly strengthening and both the INR and PKR remaining stable. Global cotton prices exhibited a mix of stability and growth across major benchmarks in t

INSIGHTS Fifty-one per cent of consumers in the US and UK prefer in-store shopping, with a higher preference among those aged above 55. The key priorities include customer service, inventory, and safety, with 81 per cent prioritising in-store safety. The study underscores the importance of friendly service, stocked shelves, and a secure environment to retain loyal shoppers. Fifty-one per cent of consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom choose in-store shopping, with a higher pref

INSIGHTS Economic growth in Europe and Central Asia is projected to moderate to 3.3 per cent in 2024, down from 3.5 per cent in 2023, and slow further to 2.6 per cent by 2025, as per a report by World Bank. Weaker growth compared to the early 2000s reflects ongoing challenges, including inflation, geopolitical tensions, and slower EU export demand. Regional growth in the Europe and Central Asia is expected to moderate to 3.3 per cent this year from 3.5 per cent in 2023, slowing further to 2.6

INSIGHTS The Conference Board expects the euro area's real GDP growth to be just below 1 per cent in 2024 and at 1.1 per cent in 2025. The US think tank's leading economic index for the area fell by 0.7 per cent in September this year to 95.2 following a decline of 0.8 per cent in August. Its coincident economic index for the area rose by 0.1 per cent in September to 108.6 following no change in August The Conference Board (TCB) expects the euro area’s real gross domestic product (GDP)

INSIGHTS China's total foreign trade grew by 5.3 per cent YoY in yuan terms in the first nine months this year. Its general administration of customs said the goods trade volume expanded to 32.33 trillion yuan ($4.57 trillion) between January and September. Exports rose by 6.2 per cent YoY to 18.62 trillion yuan, while imports rose by 4.1 per cent YoY to 13.71 trillion yuan in the period. China's total foreign trade grew by 5.3 per cent year on year (YoY) in yuan terms in the first nine month

INSIGHTS US retail sales saw a slight month over month decline in September, but year over year spending remained higher, with clothing and online sales leading the gains, as per CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. Total retail sales, excluding autos and gasoline, fell 0.32 per cent month over month but rose 0.55 per cent year over year. Core retail sales decreased 0.28 per cent monthly but increased 0.94 per cent annually. Total retail sales witnessed 0.32 per cent month over month (MoM) drop in Septem

INSIGHTS World Bank, in its semi-annual economic outlook, has highlighted that East Asia and Pacific is experiencing stronger growth compared to other parts of the world. The report forecasts the region's growth rate at 4.8 per cent for 2024, though this is expected to slow in 2025. China is projected to grow at 4.8 per cent in 2024. Pacific Island nations are expected to see a more modest growth. East Asia and the Pacific is expected to grow at 4.8 per cent in 2024, slowing to 4.4 per cent i

INSIGHTS The Conference Board expects that despite weaker economic momentum, China will see an annual real GDP growth of 5 per cent this year. The US think tank's leading economic index for China fell by 0.2 per cent in August to 149.7, after remaining unchanged in July. Its coincident economic index for China improved by 0.8 per cent in August to 149.8, following an increase of 0.7 per cent in July. The Conference Board expects that despite weaker economic momentum, China will see an annual