Consumers Borrow More in February

Consumers continued to increase ever so slightly their use of credit cards in February. Revolving credit rose an adjusted .7%, to $799 billion, the fourth increase in four months.  Consumers have apparently had enough of "deleveraging" -- the paying down of debt that was has taken place … [Read More]

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Big Stores Cut Jobs in March

The retail sector lost 34,000 jobs in the month of March, with 21,000 of those in department, chain, and discount stores. Total retail employment in the U.S. is now 14.7 million. Apparel specialty store employment was stable. About 32,000 jobs disappeared in general merchandise stores.  On … [Read More]

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Industry Production and Employment Indices Mixed in March

Industry manufacturing activity levels were mixed in March, according to data released by the U.S. government. The U.S. apparel industrial production index decreased in March compared to February but remains level compared to a year ago, signalling that the spike in domestic production might … [Read More]

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Domestic Apparel Shipment Growth Slows, Textile Shipments Drop in February

Domestic apparel shipments grew at double-digit rates for the seventh month in a row in Febuary, increasing 12% to $1.4 billion, helped by a US retail apparel market that increasingly values the ability to replenish inventory on a more accurate and timely basis. However, the rate of increase … [Read More]

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India Continues to Take U.S. Textile Import Share from China in February

The dollar value of U.S. textile imports increased 8.3% for the first two months of 2012 compared to the same period last year. India gained back some lost ground in the US textile market in January. After steadily losing share of total US textile import dollars in 2011, primarily to Vietnam and … [Read More]

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Latest Industry Insights

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Consumer Confidence Down Slightly in April

04/25/2012

Consumer Confidence slipped slightly in April, at 69.2, 3 points below the 3-year high of 72 reached in February 2011.  The present situation index increased by over a point, while the expectations index fell by almost the same … [Read More...]

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Consumers Borrow More in February

04/19/2012

Consumers continued to increase ever so slightly their use of credit cards in February. Revolving credit rose an adjusted .7%, to $799 billion, the fourth increase in four months.  Consumers have apparently had enough of "deleveraging" -- … [Read More...]

hiring-edit200

Big Stores Cut Jobs in March

04/19/2012

The retail sector lost 34,000 jobs in the month of March, with 21,000 of those in department, chain, and discount stores. Total retail employment in the U.S. is now 14.7 million. Apparel specialty store employment was stable. About 32,000 jobs … [Read More...]

Ciircular_Knitting_Machinessmall

Industry Production and Employment Indices Mixed in March

04/19/2012

Industry manufacturing activity levels were mixed in March, according to data released by the U.S. government. The U.S. apparel industrial production index decreased in March compared to February but remains level compared to a year ago, … [Read More...]

made-in-usa-t-shirt200

Domestic Apparel Shipment Growth Slows, Textile Shipments Drop in February

04/18/2012

Domestic apparel shipments grew at double-digit rates for the seventh month in a row in Febuary, increasing 12% to $1.4 billion, helped by a US retail apparel market that increasingly values the ability to replenish inventory on a more accurate … [Read More...]

Features

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The Profit Squeeze

What’s the biggest challenge facing the apparel business today? Inflation, inflation, inflation. Everyone we’ve talked to, in every step along the supply chain, is worried about the impact that rising raw materials costs - particularly the price of cotton, which comprises the lion’s share of … [Read More...]

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