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| Andy and Debb (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) |
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| Calvin Klein Men's Collection (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) |
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| Diane Von Furstenberg (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) |
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| Barbie Brand (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) |
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British retailers consider making bigger kidswear
As children in the West have in general grown taller and broader, retailers and manufacturers of kidswear are responding by reviewing the sizes they use.
A national childrenswear survey was planned to measure at least 6,000 boys and girls aged between four and 17 across the UK, using 3D body-imaging scanners. This survey was supported by such retailers such as Next and Monsoon to gain more updated information of the average body shape of nowadays’ children. Upon the findings, it is likely that retailers will make each size bigger to better reflect the changing shape and size of children.
Measurements currently used among most shops in Britain were taken in 1990 when obesity was considered a new word for many children and their parents. More than a third of school pupils in the country are now classed as overweight, including 17% (or 900,000 in total) were found obese.
US retailer reports shrinking profits due to markdowns
The US retail industry was described to have experienced a catastrophe in the past few months.
In Abercrombie & Fitch Co's recent fiscal announcement, the company reported net income of US$272.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2009. Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended January 31, 2009 decreased 19% to US$998 million from US$1.229 billion for the same period in the previous year. Mike Jeffries, Chief Executive Officer, described the fourth quarter of the company’s fiscal year as "a catastrophe for the retail industry".
The gross profit rate for the quarter was 64.4%, 280 basis points lower than the previous year, due to an increase in markdowns taken to clear through seasonal inventory. For Fiscal 2008, the gross profit rate was 66.7% versus 67.0% last year.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co anticipated a difficult selling environment to persist throughout 2009 and believed there may be significant volatility in sales levels. Nonetheless, the company was committed to opening flagship stores in Milan and Tokyo this year, as well as in Copenhagen and New York in 2010.
Chinese apparel market to top US$170 billion: report
Apparel sales in the domestic market of China were projected to top US$170 billion by 2010, Indian researchers wrote in a recent report.
The Chinese domestic market is emerging as an important segment for manufactures and exporters, partly as a result of slow growths recorded in exports due to financial crisis in western countries, according to the "China Apparel Industry -- New Opportunities for Growth" research report published by RNCOS.
Rising purchasing power and influence of western culture are attributes that have given new meanings to the Chinese domestic market. Consumers in China are anticipated to spend more on apparel, fueling an estimated annual growth of 10% to 15% in the local retail market, with reference to the report.
In addition to department stores that have been popular for some years, domestic apparel brands and labels are establishing their own or partnered store chains across China.
Jaunty styles showcased at New York fashion week
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off in New York this February showing fall 2009 collections from over 70 designers and labels, including Andy and Debb, BCBG, Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, Chado Ralph Rucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen. Moreover, Barbie Brand launched for the first time a special runway show in celebration of its 50th anniversary with works from various designers.
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