Global apparel markets: business update, 1st quarter 2009

SUMMARY
ANTI-COUNTERFEITING
Nigeria's federal government has called for the cooperation of the Chinese government to help stop the
counterfeiting of Nigerian textile products in China
COMPANY RESTRUCTURING AND REORGANISATION
Arcadia Group has announced plans to integrate British Home Stores (BHS) into its company as one of
its brands
International Textile Group (ITG) has announced plans to merge its Cone Denim and Burlington
Worldwide divisions into a single business group
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Increased pressure from discount retailers on their suppliers is discouraging the promotion of worker
rights
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Teijin Group has introduced a polyester recycling programme in Thailand and launched a jacket which
can be recycled easily
EVENTS
The Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium (SFBC) joined forces with the organisers of Prime
Source Forum in March 2009 to hold a sustainability workshop
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Benetton Group has reported a 3.4% decline in its net revenues during the first quarter of its 2009
financial year
Levi Strauss & Co has reported a 12% decline in its net revenues during the first quarter of its 2008/09
financial year
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
A trade promotion agreement (TPA) between the USA and Peru became effective on February 1, 2009
Japan's government has announced plans to reduce apparel imports from China by about one-third
The US National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has opposed the inclusion of Vietnam in
the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade negotiations
JOINT VENTURES, COOPERATION AND LICENSING AGREEMENTS, AND
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Iconix Brand Group and New Brands Americas have entered into an agreement to establish Iconix
Latin America
Karen Neuburger (KN) and Intimo have entered into a licensing agreement covering men's wear,
loungewear and children's wear
Levi Strauss & Co has entered into a licensing agreement with Oneworld Apparel relating to Levi's
women's tops
Philips-Van Heusen (PVH) and Free Country have entered into a licensing agreement covering PVH's
IZOD branded sportswear
Global apparel markets: business update
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) has set up a new company, called Denimatrix, to
produce jeans
Polo Ralph Lauren will assume direct control of its wholesale and retail distribution activities in South-
East Asia
NEW STORES
Celio has established an exclusive Celio store in India under a joint venture agreement with Future
Group
Gap has entered into a franchise agreement to open its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Israel
H&M is planning to open its first store in South Korea during 2010
Inditex and Tata Group have signed a joint venture agreement to establish new Zara stores in India
Stella McCartney has expanded its presence in the Middle East by opening three new stores in Dubai,
Jeddah and Riyadh
Uniqlo has opened its first store in Singapore
ONLINE RETAILING
Tesco is planning to launch an online clothing store
Price cuts
List of figures
Figure 1: Koh Mr Saxman jacket
Figure 2: PET bottle in which the Koh Mr Saxman jacket is packaged