Industry news
Next strikes deal to operate Gap brand stores in the UK & Ireland
17 September 2021
UK clothing and homeware retailer Next Plc is to manage the Gap brand business for US specialty clothing retailer Gap Inc in the UK and Ireland as a franchise partner.
Under the agreement announced on 17 September, Next and Gap Inc will form a joint venture (JV) to operate Gap’s e-commerce business across the Next Total Platform. Next will host Gap-branded Shop-in-Shops at select retail locations and offer extensive click-and-collect options for online customers beginning in 2022.
Under the terms of the deal, Next Plc will own 51% of the JV while Gap Inc will own 49%.
Main image credit: Reverse Resources
16 September 2021
Collaboration on sustainability is key says Asos in ESG rollout
Asos is hoping to boost sales through the introduction of an ambitious set of sustainability goals, which includes becoming net-zero across the full value chain by 2030. It also intends to map out the complete supply chain for all its
own-brand products starting from the raw materials.
The Fashion With Integrity (FWI) 2030 programme is focused on minimising Asos’s impact on the planet, delivering positive benefits for people who work in fashion and meeting increasing demands from customers for a greater choice in responsible fashion.
Asos has set two overarching pillars, Planet and People, which are underpinned by four key goals: reaching Net Zero, transparency, diversity and circularity.
Asos CEO Nick Beighton said during a media briefing: “These pillars are completely integrated and built into our wider business strategy and margin plans. These goals will help reinforce Asos’s position as an ESG leader. However, we recognise that we can’t do it alone. It is key for us to work collaboratively. Not only with our partners and suppliers but also with other competitors to drive the change we all need to see."
15 September 2021
Sri Lanka’s garment makers prioritise worker safety
Sri Lanka’s garment factory owners are going “above and beyond” to ensure they operate in a way that is safe for employees to continue working, according to representatives from several of Sri Lanka’s well-known garment manufacturers.
MAS Holding, Hirdaramani, Brandix Group’s Moose Clothing and Star Garments were some of the manufacturers who attended the meeting held by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Sri Lanka on: ‘'The pandemic resilient corporate success of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry’,
The meeting’s representatives said that while more than 90% of employees have been partially vaccinated, and 70% have been fully vaccinated, companies are going above and beyond to adhere to the health and safety guidelines, seeking to provide the maximum possible protection to employees.
This news follows on from the industry body representing apparel exporters in Sri Lanka being forced to defend the government and factory owners on 7 September after they were accused of failing to protect workers from contracting Covid-19.
14 September 2021
US urged to pay fair prices for Bangladesh garments
US brands and retailers are being urged to pay fair prices for the garments they source from Bangladesh, something that will help create a safer and more sustainable industry.
The president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Faruque Hassan asked US brands and retailers to be more rational when it comes to the prices they pay for garments.
He urged the US government to consider reducing duty on apparel products from Bangladesh. He also encouraged the US to explore investment opportunities in textile industries in Bangladesh, particularly in the non-cotton segment.
Hassan said: “Our factories are increasingly investing money for safety and sustainability. Besides, production costs have gone up by more than 30% in the past five years. On the contrary, the price of our apparel is declining every year. It’s a fact that in a free market economy price cannot be dictated, but no one can justify a lower price to produce socially fair goods.”
14 September 2021
US apparel groups back Ocean Shipping Reform Act
A coalition of more than 152 companies and trade associations representing US importers, exporters, transportation providers and other supply chain stakeholders have endorsed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021.
The coalition, including the National Retail Federation (NRF) and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) submitted a letter to Congress in support of the Shipping Act.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced last month by Congressmen John Garamendi and Dusty Johnson. The aim is to update the Shipping Act to recognise the significant changes to the international maritime transportation system of the past two decades.
It will mean the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will need to establish and enforce rules regarding minimum service requirements for shippers, respond to breaches of contracts, and address excessive and unjust detention and demurrage fees.
In brief
Eni completes acquisition of stake in Dogger Bank A and B wind farms
Eni has completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea for £206.4m ($287.3m).
Neoen reaches financial close for 300MW Australian battery facility
Neoen has reached the financial close of the Victorian Big Battery project, a 300MW/450MWh energy storage facility in Australia.
Southern Power Generation’s Track 4A plant begins operations in Malaysia
Southern Power Generation’s 1.44GW Track 4A Power Plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia has started commercial operations.
Total farms down solar and wind portfolio in stake sale in France
The renewable generation subsidiary of oil giant Total has agreed to sell half of its equity stake in several solar and wind farms to two French financiers.
Scatec and Nizam Energy close financing for solar plant in Pakistan
Renewable developer Scatec and local partner Nizam Energy have secured a $100m financial closure for a solar project in Pakistan.
In brief
Eni completes acquisition of stake in Dogger Bank A and B wind farms
Eni has completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea for £206.4m ($287.3m).
Neoen reaches financial close for 300MW Australian battery facility
Neoen has reached the financial close of the Victorian Big Battery project, a 300MW/450MWh energy storage facility in Australia.
Southern Power Generation’s Track 4A plant begins operations in Malaysia
Southern Power Generation’s 1.44GW Track 4A Power Plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia has started commercial operations.
Total farms down solar and wind portfolio in stake sale in France
The renewable generation subsidiary of oil giant Total has agreed to sell half of its equity stake in several solar and wind farms to two French financiers.
Scatec and Nizam Energy close financing for solar plant in Pakistan
Renewable developer Scatec and local partner Nizam Energy have secured a $100m financial closure for a solar project in Pakistan.
14 September 2021
In3D develops 3D photorealistic avatar app for fashion
Tech start-up in3D has launched what is claimed to be the world’s first 3D photorealistic avatar scanning app. The aim is to open up new possibilities and drive innovation within the fashion industry.
Harnessing state-of-the-art computer vision technology, the in3D app builds a full 3D replica of the user from a simple “video selfie” within seconds, while capturing their body data with
1cm accuracy.
“We’re the first company in the world to develop an easy and scalable way for people to scan themselves into photorealistic 3D avatars using a simple smartphone camera,” explained in3D founder and CEO, Dmitry Ulyanov.
14 September 2021
Nike unveils sustainably-minded performance shoe
US sporting goods giant Nike Inc has recreated its most elite performance shoe with circular design principles to develop what it says is its most sustainably-minded shoe to date - the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature.
Following Nike Basketball’s Cosmic Unity, Nike Running designers were driven by Nike’s Move to Zero initiative. This initiative is based on Nike’s journey toward zero carbon and zero waste and the idea that a product that makes the world better can also make an athlete better. Cosmic Unity set the bar with 25% total recycled content by weight. The Alphafly Next Nature has gone a step further with at least 50% total recycled content by weight, making it Nike’s boldest move yet in merging sustainability and performance.
“We don’t want to be about making shiny objects — we want to set our concept as the intent for how we think about performance and sustainability,” explains Rachel Bull, senior footwear product director for Nike Running. “Putting a sustainable focus on our fastest marathon shoe also means we need all hands on deck for it to work, from our teams in design to material sourcing and manufacturing.”
1 September 2021
Less choice and higher store prices ahead of Christmas
The UK’s British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned of a hike in product prices in the run-up to Christmas, linked to increasing supply chain pressures from shipping delays to the HGV driver shortage and costs, as well as Brexit-related red tape.
While overall retail prices fell year-on-year, the British Retail Consortium said there was a slight rise in prices from the previous month and there are some modest indications that rising costs throughout the supply chain are starting to filter into product prices which could be seen as Christmas gets closer.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium explained: “Low prices are already under threat, and now the HGV driver shortage has created an additional problem with a shortfall of 90,000 drivers. Disruption has been limited so far, but in the run-up to Christmas the situation could get worse, and customers may see reduced choice and increased prices for their favourite products and presents.”
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