Archive for December, 2007

Indian Sleepwear Market

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketThere is a huge untouched potential in non-metros

Producers of women’s pajama sets are increasing R&D capability to raise the range and functions of designs. Companies are also making efforts to enhance product quality and decrease operating costs through vertical integration. With the elimination of export taxes and import limitations on China-made sleepwear to the EU and the US, suppliers from China and India find themselves in a strong competition for market share. In the Indian market, the sleepwear and lingerie market is emerging quickly as a fashion segment, and has, over the last decade, observed the existence of organised players such as Juliet, Sleep-ins, etc

What was Kashmira Nightwear Company started with a single standalone store in Pune many years ago is today the Sleep-ins brand of complete nighrwear solutions possessing a chain of many exclusive Sleep-ins stores and existence in many of the country’s major retail chains. This change has been promising on account of the single-handed effort by only one person, Kishor Chhabria, who is managing director of the Pune-based Kashmira Nighrwear Company -¬ Sleep-ins today is a brand with a national manifestation. Chhabria experienced that Indian consumers have awareness of about selecting of occasion-wear and sleeping dresses were as important as office, casual, party or sports wear, and commence to offer consumers what they required.

Sleep-ins is among the leading players in the segment, and has been beholding considerable growth in its market share over the last few years. This market even today is largely in the unorganised sector where price is the only its consideration. Organised players are not contending with products that are being traded on the streets. The growth in retailing, the rising level of fashion consciousness has supported sleepwear and lingerie move into a higher market step.

Sleep-ins has increased by almost 150 per cent over the two-three decades, they were highly focused in the western market, but this year the brand performed well locally. They have appointed distributors in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, UP, MP, Punjab, etc. and possessed more than 20 exclusive outlets in the country, and will add to this by another six. Besides the exclusive outlets, the brand retails from a many large departmental stores too. (more…)

Malls Flooded With Foreign Apparels

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketOne might not able to locate where Manipur lies! Intellectuals even confused on several occasions on the where about of this state as a foreign nation. Their assumptions seem a dream comes true today! The youths and teenagers are fashion cognisant and that too not Indian apparel, but foreign lifestyles. The business of fashion in Manipur is more advanced than other cities of India, leaving those metropolitans.

Manipur is an extraordinary place, full of charm, beauty and creativity. It lies in the North-Eastern region of Indian Sub-continent, between 23.5 oN-25.3 oN Latitude and 93.4 oE-95.3 oE Longitudes, bordering Myanmar in the east, Nagaland state in the north, Assam and Mizoram in the west. Encircled by nine hill ranges, Manipur is marked out by a picturesque valley in the midst. The total area of Manipur is 22,327 sq. km. Out of this only 2,238 sq. Km are valley while the remaining areas are covered with hilly tracts.

Manipur, a small state which lies on a melting pot of culture is regarded as one of the world’s beauty spots. The Rasa Lila, a classical dance of Manipur is world famous for its gentleness and serenity. Modern day polo was first played here as royal sport. Thus, the world credited the state as the home for polo game.

The place of surpassing attractions include superb panorama of evergreen hill ranges, the soil of Khongjom soaked with sacred blood of martyrs, the first battle of Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 at Kangla, the erstwhile capital of Manipur Kingdom. The Loktak lake-the largest freshwater lake in the North East, natural habitat of Brow-antlered deer at the Keibul Lamjao National Park-the only floating National Park in the world, the I.N.A. Memorial at Moirang where the first tricolour flag of Indian Independence was hoisted by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Siroi Lily found only on the Siroi Hills, the symmertical two Second World War cemeteries, exquisite handloom and handicraft products of world fame.

Manipur is famous for the ‘Ema Keithel’ – women’s market at Khwairamband bazaar- the only and the largest market in the world run by women, the gold-domed Shri Govindajee Temple, the Saheed Minar, the Khonghampat Orchid Yard, the Tharon Cave at Tamenglong, the Khanghui Cave at Ukhrul, the Kangla Park and the Moat surrounding the old historical palace of the Maharajas of ore-British period. (more…)

India Among Top Jeanswear Market

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India among top jeanswear market Jeanswear trends started in India truly in the eighties, with the establishment and the movement of brands like Avis, Wings, Flying Machine, UFO, along with international brands like FU’s. With the realistic pricing and a “Good jeans for less” proposition, Newport entered into the mass psyche in the mid-nineties. The growth in the domestic jeans and casualwear market is attracting an increasing number of multinationals into the segment.

With the Indian youth becoming increasingly fashion conscious and with spending power being consistently on the rise, making life easier for the fast-growing ‘premium’ category of jeanswear brands. On the other hand, it has been tough times for other segments of the business – one of the underperformers being a mass-market jeanswear brand.

Denim consumption boost up in India Various apparel categories, excluding innerwear, jeanswear too is connected to brand tags in India. A label tag is a must now on the back waist panel of even tailored garments. As regards to contribution of the branded section in each category percentages may vary, approximately 79 percent of the jeans sold in India tagged with label, the rest of jeans are supplied by tailors and localised manufacturers with no-name.

Daily in India, there are number of small stores where customised jeans are stitched for as little as Rs 200. And their customers are not only Indians, but Westerners too, and you can find a long queue of Westerners, waiting to purchase customised jeanswear to be used as wear and throw and it is because of the reality for the Westerners that the availability of a customised piece of clothing at very low pricing. On the other hand, the more and more affluent middle class is amazingly responsive about the charm of branding.

Denim wear consumption in India and the business is itself changes almost everyday with new modification and new brands, it is also becoming a part of its action by determining the size, character and make up and it also requires a profound market research study.

According to a survey report, by considering the aspects of socio-economic, cultural, emotional and functional backgrounds and its applications there are four type of branded jeanswear market available in India.

India among top jeanswear market Jeanswear trends started in India truly in the eighties, with the establishment and the movement of brands like Avis, Wings, Flying Machine, UFO, along with international brands like FU’s. With the realistic pricing and a “Good jeans for less” proposition, Newport entered into the mass psyche in the mid-nineties. The growth in the domestic jeans and casualwear market is attracting an increasing number of multinationals into the segment. (more…)

Trendy Madness In Fashion Meccas

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Fashion experiences dynamic leash in different parts of the world, wearing different colors, image and feel, taking inspiration from local environment and blending into the global trend stream. This article focuses on futuristic trends for the coming season 2007-2008 in fashion Meccas – New York, Paris, Milan, Londonand Los Angels. These five cities have extemporary existence in the fashion world and exert deep influence on the international fashion trends. Except New York summer trends are explored at all other cities.

New-York

It’s a winter time in New York and the city is all geared up for autumn / winter 2007 – 2008.

Colors

Brass-hued gold’s, saturated black with deep petrol blue hue and brassy tones will dominate the dark color palette. Black in different shades will continue to dominate the footwear industry.

Fabrics: Wools, leathers and wet look patent finishes along with quilt effects on jackets will dominate the coming season.

Apparels: Women’s clothes get influence from the favorite forties. Terracotta jackets with cape and cropped styles along with black overcoat with belted drapes and large collars inspired from the military look is “in” this season. Dresses continue to set the mood even in winter in warm shades of black, grey and blue to provide heed to the chilly weather. A line Skirts, neck tie blouses, cable knit cardigans with bow-inspired necklines, defined waistlines, frills and pleated grosgrain ribbon placement will flow through the formal and casual circuit. Wide legged trousers with knee length shorts are favorite for this 40′s season look.

Apparels: Women’s clothes get influence from (more…)

Great Outfitter Denim Rocks Fashion & Retail Sales

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketDenim has changed radically in past few years, from basic work clothing, to a high-end stylish and fashion oriented attire. Denim is presently a 10 billion dollar industry in the US. From retailer selling in mass market to exclusive couture designers, everyone has identified denim as a profitable business.

The apparel industry veterans are amazed by the success of denim. Reviewing recent sales-graph and fiscal year results of the leading retailers and brands, the analysts forecast a better future for denim on condition that the product should appeal different to the consumer looking while sustaining the traditional fabric.

The American consumers approximately purchase 450 million pairs of jeans per year. The denim market has been performing well, except for a drop in the sales was witnessed because of stiff competition with the alternative products like cargos, fatigues, cotton combat and khaki trousers, which led market at a saturation point in mid 2004.

The saturation in the denim market was a result coming-out of garments and fabric in developing countries, due to the elimination of a quota system, in the beginning of 2005. However, the denim industry emerged again during 2005-2006. The evergreen work-wear fabric is back on track with the efforts of companies, such as ITG, Levi Strauss & Co., VF Corporation, American Eagle Outfitters and Perry Ellis performed well throughout 2005. American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters come into view as triumph last year, emerging as leader in specialty store brands for the age group of 15 to 25. Comparing the $143.4 million sales month which ended April 30, 2005, the company recorded 25% climb in sales for April 29, 2006. The month of April depicted an optimistic consumer response to the company’s excellent initiatives for product assortments, designed for spring and summer that were also focused at other age groups.

The success standing behind, American Eagle Outfitters, in the denim market, is an outcome of right allocation of initiatives for various market phases. The perfect blend of the American West with European touch was the key reason of the gained success. (more…)

ARE THE QUOTAS ON CHINESE IMPORTS IN SOUTH AFRICA WORKING?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketA brief Synopsis

South Africa – Renato Palmi of the ReDress Consultancy Reviews the Quotas

During the month of August, numerous fashion events have taken place in South Africa. Has the fashion sector seen any tangible benefits due the quotas system? According to the Trade and Industry Minister the quota system is working. He says, “Since the implementation of the quotas, jobs have been saved and new jobs have been created.” Yet, his department cannot provide specific data on employment figures relating to the quotas on Chinese imports. The government said that the quotas would create 50 000 new jobs. This equates to 2000 new jobs per month in the clothing and textile industries over a two year period.

The economic intent of the quota system is understandable but the process of implementing them became tainted with political appeasement creating an even wider rift between industry, government and the unions. The Chinese government after initially declining the South African government’s suggestions of restricting imports eventually relented because they knew the returns from alternative economic sectors would far exceed the revenue lost from the import restrictions. After all, the quotas are only for two years. The South African government rushed to implement the quotas to appease the unions – COSATU and SACTWU. In turn, SACTWU drove the implementation to conciliate their constituency where jobs were hemorrhaging at an unprecedented rate. According to the latest statistics, Chinese imports into South Africa fell by 34% in this first quarter of 2007. While there was a drop in imports from China, imports from other exporting countries has begun to grow, indicating that the retail-chains are beginning to implement their new procurement procedures. The impositions of the quotas are linked to developments both politically and economically that occurred more than ten years ago.

Going Back in Time

The challenges facing the clothing and textile sectors in the new post 1994 democracy was by extension a result of the previous regime’s protectionist policy towards these industrial sectors. The new African National Congress (ANC) led government began to reduce tariffs faster than was required by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the General Agreement of Trade and Tariffs. The recommendations from these organisations said that the new ANC government should reduce the tariffs over a 12 year period but the ANC reclined saying such reductions should be done within eight years as this would integrate the South African industrial sector into the globalised economy quicker. Many clothing and in particular textile companies did not capitalize on this period to invest in technology updates or skills development and the repercussions are being felt now. (more…)

Three Online Trends That Will Impact Your Business

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketIf you’ve listened to your customers – or attended a retail industry conference – over the past five years, then you know that cross-channel retailing continues to be a hot topic. Not only are more and more Americans going online, but a growing percent of them use the Internet to research and purchase products. Retailers can no longer fudge their online experience; customer expectations for online customer service levels are also rising.

All businesses should take note. Although the impact of cross-channel buying behaviors is most prevalent in the retail industry, it is a trend that will increasingly impact all businesses in nearly every industry.

1. More Consumers Are Going Online

In the late 1990′s, the era of irrational exuberance was in full form. Internet companies of all kinds promised to change the world with their latest e-product, e-exchange, or e-service. You may recall that stock prices for just about any e-Business climbed to unprecedented (and apparently unfounded) heights. It all came crashing down as the now infamous dot-com bubble burst.

Although many investors turned their backs on dot-com companies as a result, consumers did not; the number of people surfing and shopping online has continued to climb. Today, an impressive 73% of adult Americans use the Internet, according to the Pew Internet Project. Not only is the total number of on-line surfers steady and growing, but the amount of time they spend online is also increasing. Those numbers will only continue to increase as today’s well-connected teenagers grow into tomorrow’s prospective customers. Today’s teenagers age 12-17 are even more connected than their adult counterparts, with 87% of teenagers going online according to the Pew Internet Project.

The importance of the Internet in everyday life also continues to climb. From product research to social networking or from news & entertainment to health care research, today’s consumers are increasingly looking to the online channel. It’s becoming hard to avoid it. In 2007, 47% of adult Americans have a broadband Internet connection at home, according to the Pew Internet Project. Most working adults have a computer on their desk that can access the Internet, and many mobile telephones now have web access on their tiny screens. Furthermore, Wi-Fi connections are becoming as common as your local Starbuck’s store and cable operators continue to look for ways to integrate Internet access with traditional television service.

Any business that turned their back on the Internet as a result of the dot-com collapse in 2001 has in effect, turned their back on their customers. (more…)

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