At the beginning of 2008, the apparel industry was focused on fears that Chinese prices would go through the roof as rising wages, new labour laws, worker shortages, the appreciation of the yuan and higher exporting costs took hold - sending many buyers in search of cheaper suppliers elsewhere What a difference a year makes.
Three major regulatory threats also topped the international apparel trade agenda: the end of US safeguard quotas on some Chinese textile and apparel imports, the risk of anti-dumping actions against certain apparel categories from Vietnam, and the imposition of import monitoring on shipments of apparel from China to the European Union (EU). Just 12 months later, though and it's a very different picture. The global economy has ground to a halt. The US, Japan, most of continental Europe, parts of Asia and possibly Australia are expected to join the UK in recession this year; growth in most emerging markets is faltering; and the currency markets are in chaos, with the British pound sitting at a 23-year low against the US dollar.
Consumers, fearful of falling house prices and an uncertain job market, have reined in their spending, leading to a crop of bankruptcies among Western retailers. Among the hardest hit are clothing stores, as shoppers largely cut back on all but essential purchases and trade down to discount brands. Official figures published by the Commerce Department, for example, show US retail sales fell by more than expected in December as shoppers cut back over the holiday shopping period. Sales in department stores have fallen, while clothing and accessories purchases have also dropped and are now way below the level seen a year earlier.
Governments around the world are using every weapon at their disposal to fight the crisis, with economic stimulus packages and cuts in interest rates aimed at rousing the financial markets and encouraging consumer spending But all these efforts are going to take time for consumers to feel the benefit and to start shopping again in any meaningful way.
Looking forward to 2009, this briefing outlines what the apparel industry might expect, how fashion firms will respond, what the downturn means for the supply chain and how ethical, environmental and trade issues will affect the industry.
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Title Index:
- Introduction
- Setting the scene: What can the apparel and footwear industries expect in 2009?
- How are fashion firms responding to the slowdown in consumer spending?
- What does this slowdown mean for the supply chain?
- Will ethical and environmental concerns stay at the top of corporate agendas?
- How will new certification and tracking requirements pile on the pressure?
i.Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
ii. Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements
iii. Lacey Act
- What is the current state of play as far as US trade rules are concerned?
- Are new restrictions on imports likely under President Obama?
For more information please click on:
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Rachel Thompson
Senior Manager
Research and Markets Ltd
rachel.thompson@researchandmarkets.com
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