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Introduction: Apparel and Textiles Download PDF

Clothing and accessories retailers and general merchandisers are the most visited type of establishments, making the output of this industry a high demand item. There is a massive consumer market just looking for ways to spend its money; as such, competition is stiff and innovation and technology are essential for success.

Risk Description

Textiles and Clothing Industry
In the United States, the household consumptions slowdown will have a significant impact on the clothing sector with the sales of specialised chains already in decline. The quotas that will remain in effect on certain articles imported from China until 1 January 2009 have, meanwhile, prompted customers to switch their orders to neighbouring countries, particularly Viet Nam. The strengthening of the yuan against the dollar in conjunction with wage growth in China has spurred that trend. The United States' traditional trading partners in Central America and the Caribbean area will continue to suffer from the dynamism of Asian competition with their share in American imports declining further.

West European textile and clothing industriess generally achieved satisfactory performance in 2007, which enabled them to consolidate their financial health and strategic positioning.