“In licensing news,
International Legwear Group (ILG) has signed a deal to manufacture socks
and hosiery under the Haggar brand. Jones Jeanswear Division will make
its foray into the men’s wear market after signing a licensing agreement
with G-III Apparel, which will provide Jones Jeanswear Division with
the rights to design, market and distribute men’s jeanswear under
several G-III Apparel brand names. Liz Claiborne and Future Fashions
have signed a licensing agreement relating to the Liz Claiborne brand in
Canada, and Active Brands has signed a deal to manufacture swimwear and
apparel under the O’Neill brand name. Billabong International has
entered into an agreement to acquire Becker Surf and Sport, including
its five retail stores and its online business, while Fast Retailing and
DNP Clothing have set up a joint venture company, called Uniqlo
(Malaysia), in Malaysia…All companies whose financial reports
are featured in this report have posted increases in net sales,
including Abercrombie & Fitch (up by 14%), Asos (up by 35%),
Benetton Group (up by 2%), Gap (up by 6%), Gildan Activewear (up by
34%), H&M (up by 4%), Inditex (up by 14%), JC Penney (up by 1%),
Levi Strauss & Co (up by 9%), Marks and Spencer (up by 3%) and TJX
Companies (up by 15%)…New stores have been opened by Diesel and
Zara in India, and by Juicy Couture in Canada. Gap is planning to open
its first stores in China, while Iconix China has announced plans to
open Candie’s stores in the country. American Eagle Outfitters will open
its first stores in China, Hong Kong and Israel, and H&M is
planning to open its first store in Turkey…In other news, Anvil
Knitwear has become the first company in the world to receive the WRAPe
certificate for adopting environmentally friendly business practices at
its textile mill in Honduras…Brandix Lanka has officially opened
Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) and H&M has published its
sustainability report for 2009. Marcel Fashion Group has won a trademark
infringement lawsuit against Liz Claiborne and Lucky Brand Dungarees. A
group of US congressman has introduced the Textile Enforcement and
Security Act of 2010 in order to combat fraud in US textile and apparel
imports, and China and Taiwan have signed the Economic Cooperation
Framework Agreement (ECFA). Meanwhile, more than 400 delegates attended
the fifth edition of Prime Source Forum.

Date:9/5/2010

Source:Reuters