subject: Vision Shopsters: Global Apparel Markets: Business Update 3rd Quarter 2009 [print this page] In the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Gap and Puma have published reports on their CSR initiatives in 2007 and 2008, the Chinese companies Suzhou Deylon Textiles and Shandong Lawrance Textiles have become the first two Asian manufacturers to produce apparel which has been certified as complying with ko-Tex Standard 100plus, and Teijin has launched its Eco Circle recycling programme in China.
In announcing their financial results, several retailers have reported growth in sales, including Asos (up by 47%), H&M (up by 18%), Inditex (up by 7%), TJX Companies (up by 4%), and Marks & Spencer (M&S) (up by 3%). Less fortunate were Abercrombie & Fitch (with sales down by 23%), Gildan Activewear (down by 19%), Perry Ellis International (down by 18%), Benetton Group (down by 11%), JC Penney (down by 8%), Gap (down by 7%), and Levi Strauss & Co (down by 3%). Market data released recently reveal that total sales of apparel in the USA decreased during the first half of 2009, but sales of fleecewear and mens underwear increased.
Trade policy developments include the implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and Japan, and the signing of an FTA between India and Asean which is due to become effective on January 1, 2010.
Licensing agreements have been signed between: Cerruti and Forall Group, relating to Cerruti 1881; Delta Apparel and Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, relating to Realtree; Ittierre and John Galliano, relating to John Galliano; Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) and Studio Ray, relating to IZOD; and Sport-Haley and Windsong Brands, relating to Como Sport. At the same time, the United States Polo Association (USPA) has launched a new sportswear brand called THRE3.
New stores have been opened by Alcott in India, by Giorgio Armani in Hungary, by Gucci in Azerbaijan, Russia and Saudi Arabia, and by Uniqlo in France. There are also plans to open 11 new 24-hour Jeans Mate stores in Japan during 2009. Meanwhile, Inditex has received approval from the Indian government to establish Zara stores in India.
Developments in online retailing include the launch of an online clothing store by Tesco, and an announcement that Target will take full responsibility for the development of its online store when an agreement with Amazon expires.
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