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WorldWrap , 30   Apr   2008 : The European market has become a very important destination for Indian exporters and with their ability to offer product development and small quantities brands from the EU are increasingly eyeing India for bigger sourcing. In fact, most of the buying offices working with the European market reported good growth last year and were very positive of increasing the share of India sourcing this year. It is good news for Indian manufacturers that most of the European brands that are working extensively in India have shown good results in 2007 and are looking to grow further in the current year with better products and expansion plans. The focus of most is to work with niche products and expand customer base with stores around the globe. Organic cotton, which is fast emerging as a fad with European buyers, has added a new dimension to sourcing with many Indian manufacturers opting to work with the environment friendly cotton, already a strength with India. The retailers under review are  

Features , 30   Apr   2008 : India Goes Organic with Increased Production and Sustainable Supply Chains – Future Holds Out Promise Organically raised cotton with its promise of a pure environment is gradually winning over new ground both on the farm and in the marketplace. Estimates by Organic exchange peg global retail sales for organic cotton products at $1.9bn in 2007, up 83% from $1.1bn in ’06. Organic cotton clothing, unheard of a few years ago, is now available in many stores and online businesses. Whether it’s from high-end designers like Linda Loudermilk and Stella McCartney, large marketers like Nike, Wal-Mart and Levi Straus, or smart retailers like H&M, C&A, Mothercare, Timberland or new trend-setting brands like Nau, the selection of environmentally friendly clothing is getting bigger by the day. Apparel Online traces the trend and opportunities for Indian Exporters.  

Features , 30   Apr   2008 : After earning the distinction of being the knitwear destination of India, Tirupur is fast emerging as the organic cotton base in knits with buyers increasingly looking at the city for integrated options in 100% organic. Though there are no certified organic farms in and round Tirupur, it is on the outskirts of Coimbatore, the home of the largest producer of organic cotton in South India, Super Spinning mills that has the capacity to produce 150 tons of organic cotton yarns per month. Armstrong Exports is also developing as another strong supplier with a spinning capacity of 15 tons per day. The easy availability of organic cotton yarn from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified players is just one of the drivers. Apparel Online talks to some of the manufacturers on the growing trend  

Features , 30   Apr   2008 : Home workers form an important part of the supply chain in the garment and apparel industry, particularly in India which has an edge in the hand work segment. This large mass of talent, estimated to be 30 mn, nearly 10% of the world total of 300 mn, should ideally be integrated within the system in a manner that its strengths can be explored to an optimum level within the confines of compliance norms. Despite being a crucial part of the production system, exporters often find it difficult to work with home workers because they form part of the unorganised sector and lack systems and structures at work. Therefore, home workers find themselves at the lowest end of the priority list. To correct this anomaly, the 1998-established UK-based Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an alliance of companies, NGOs and trade unions has been working to improve the lives of these workers by developing parameters that can be followed by multiple stake holders to ensure compliance of codes and norms, which, in turn, can boost business and trade for all parties involved  

Exim Window , 30   Apr   2008 : Exporters were extremely disappointed with Budget 2008-2009 as it did not propose any specific measures to help them tide over the difficult situation that they are facing today due to circumstances beyond their control. They were subsequently pinning hopes on the Annual Supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009 affecting the impact of the rising rupee in their favour. However, managing inflation and not promoting trade is the main theme of the Annual Supplement Trade Policy announced by the Commerce & Industry Minister Kamal Nath. It does offer some sops and incentives to revive exports, currently at the lowest level in four years.  

Features , 30   Apr   2008 : Though China is still the single largest exporter of textiles and textile products, the scenario is fast changing giving way to a new equation. While in apparel and textiles China showed good growth in 2007, in the home textile segment the country’s performance has dropped by 4% as compared to the previous year according to China’s home textile association. No doubt, China is still a dominant player in the segment but India also has a lot of advantages with which it has carved a niche for itself in the world market. Team AO talked to some of the leading buyers sourcing home textile range from both the countries on the future of the industry and strengths and weaknesses of both the sourcing bases  

Features , 30   Apr   2008 : Fast growth, systematic planning and product development are the synonyms that define Ahmedabad based Anunay Fab Limited. The company, established in 1992 has, in its short duration, already made a mark in quality fabrics and home textiles. Anunay has kept pace with the fast changing needs of the international markets and has continuously adapted new technology and systems to offer an outstanding range in home textiles. The management reins are in the hands of young and passionate second-generation entrepreneurs. “We started the company from scratch and have succeeded in achieving a turnover of Rs 125 cr in exports with 12% growth in the last financial year,” said Anjani Agarwal, MD, Anunay Fab Ltd, who has received many prestigious awards including the Bharat Gaurav for taking the company to new milestones in a short period of time. The company’s consistent growth and performance has raised the bar for achievements and the company is aiming to become a US $200 million company by the end of 2010  

WorldWrap , 16   Apr   2008 : US Retailers Struggle to Find the Right Product to Interest Consumers as Economy Dips As retailers in the US struggle to find the right product to interest consumers, the strategy for 2008 is centred on cutting costs, finding new brand concepts and focusing on environmental issues. There is an air of caution and retailers are focusing on customer service – ‘what more than the product’ seems to be the theme. For several years now, Apparel Online has been closely following the product strategies and market thrusts of major apparel companies in the US which source large volumes from India. In this issue, we bring forth the indicators for the year 2008 from JCPenney, Gap, Kohl’s, The Children’s Place, Wal-Mart, Limited, Target, Sears and Steve & Barry’s  

Features , 16   Apr   2008 : Internationally buyers are looking to tighten the supply chain and the direct result of this process is clearly reflected in their strategy of buying operations in India. However, each country has a different need and buyers have to approach the sourcing challenges individually to create a synergy between what retailer/brands are planning at headquarters and what sourcing offices need to do at the manufacturing base. Apparel Online talks to 10 buying operations in India on Strategy 2008  

Features , 16   Apr   2008 : Swiss major Migros contributes to the social cause in India by investing in education in the industrial city of Tirupur. Migros has been working in close coordination with a group of local exporters who manufacture and supply garments to it, for over nine years now. Along with an international social service organization, the company runs a Matriculation School for children of workers and those who belong to the under privileged category. Migros is now looking to add a module to introduce vocational training facilities as well in the city as it believes that education has to be complemented by training for employment  

Features , 16   Apr   2008 : Mother Care’s sourcing office in Tirupur will focus on the ‘Mother and Child’ in all its social initiatives in India. Most of its CSR ventures will be targeted at improving the condition of women and children in this industrial city. Country Manager Martin Antony who is slated to be the company’s CSR head for Asia notes, “Keeping in line with Mother Care’s focus on the mother and the child, most of our activities will be directed at this segment of society. We find that there is a perfect fit.’’  

Features , 16   Apr   2008 : Compliance should not merely be viewed by the garment industry as a ‘cost’. It should instead be seen in the light of the benefits it could bring for expanding India’s opportunities on the international platform, argues global auditing major Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). At a seminar to apprise the Indian industry on the subject, SGS officials pointed out that with India poised to grow as one of the world’s biggest sourcing destinations, it was imperative that compliance levels in the industry be raised