“Customers are now wanting more change in the product every now and then. With the social media, with the technologies over there, everybody wants to be in the trend,” said Sabur Iftikhar Qureshi, manager sales and marketing, North and South America at Artistic Fabric Mills (AFM), adding that it has turned into a “fashion-oriented business.” Whereas brands used to refresh their product two or three times a year, this pace has picked up.Noting the growing trend toward fast fashion, garment manufacturer Bitop ...

Target Corp. is hitting the style accelerator. The mass merchant, which has been jolted to life after a period of stagnation, has rejiggered to get its private-label fashions to move at something like the speed of social media. More from WWD The need is clear. Target said that 85 percent of Gen Z and Millennial shoppers expect to purchase a trending product within 24 hours of first seeing it on social. That’s a quick turn — and while Target’s not there yet, it’s getting closer. “We’ve spent decades bu ...

Market Dynamics - Shein's decision to open its first physical store in Paris has sparked controversy among French retailers and politicians [1] - Concerns are rising about the potential negative impact of the fast-fashion retailer on local businesses [1]

Core Insights - Zara, owned by Inditex SA, has reduced its global store count by 16% from approximately 2,139 stores in 2019 to just under 1,800 stores in 2024 [2][3] - The new accounting metrics reveal that Zara's store count is now reported at 1,528 as of October 31, 2024, which is lower than previously reported figures [3] - Inditex's strategy focuses on optimizing store locations, with smaller stores being absorbed into larger, upgraded spaces, resulting in a 2% increase in commercial space and a 5.9% increase in sales in 2024 [4] Store Count Trends - Zara has seen a decline in store counts in core European markets, including Spain (256 stores in 2024 vs. 306 in 2017), France, Germany, and Italy [6] - The most significant decline occurred in China, where store counts dropped from 183 in 2017 to just 73 in 2024 [7] - Conversely, the United States has experienced growth, with store counts increasing from 87 in 2017 to 98 in 2024 [7][8] Lefties Brand Growth - Lefties, Inditex's discount chain, is viewed as a vital part of the company's future, with 213 global locations as of the third quarter of 2025, up from 203 the previous year [2][9] - The brand, which started as an outlet for Zara's leftover stock, has gained popularity among price-conscious consumers, particularly Gen Z shoppers [9] - Lefties currently operates in 18 countries, primarily in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, with expectations for further expansion [10]

Core Viewpoint - Lululemon Athletica has experienced a significant decline in stock performance, dropping over 50% this year, which has raised concerns about the company's direction under its current CEO, Calvin McDonald [1][2]. Group 1: Company Performance - Lululemon's stock has been one of the worst performers on the S&P 500, contrasting with the index's overall increase of nearly 17% [1]. - The company's market capitalization is currently $22 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 13, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 25 [8][11]. - There has been a clear slowdown in Lululemon's business growth since late 2021, coinciding with rising inflation and stretched consumer budgets [8][10]. Group 2: Brand Strength and Competition - Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon, believes the brand has lost its appeal and is overly focused on financial metrics rather than creativity [4]. - The rise of fast fashion and cheaper alternatives has made it challenging for Lululemon to justify its premium pricing, particularly for products like leggings and pants priced over $100 [4][10]. - Lululemon has faced increased competition, exemplified by its recent lawsuit against Costco for selling knock-off products, highlighting the difficulties in protecting brand identity in the apparel industry [5]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Investors are currently concerned about the company's direction and the impact of economic conditions on future results, leading to a heavily discounted stock price [12]. - While the low valuation may present potential for strong returns, the company must first convince investors of its brand strength and growth potential [12].

Core Insights - Inditex, a leading global fashion retailer known for brands like Zara, has been upgraded to "Buy" by Citigroup, with a current stock price of $15.99 [1][5] - The company reported a strong third-quarter performance in fiscal year 2025, with a 4.9% year-over-year sales increase and margin expansion indicating improved profitability [2][5] - Inditex maintains a conservative dividend policy and has a market capitalization of approximately $99.6 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the fashion industry [4][5] Financial Performance - Inditex's third-quarter sales increased by 4.9% year-over-year, supported by margin expansion that has outpaced revenue growth [2][5] - The company has a robust cash position of €11.3 billion, indicating strong financial health [2] - The current stock price is $15.98, showing a slight increase of 0.13% from the previous trading session, with a 52-week high of $16.03 and a low of $11.56 [3] Market Activity - The stock has shown stable performance over the past year, with fluctuations between $15.94 and $16.00 on the current trading day [3] - Today's trading volume for IDEXY is 29,455 shares, indicating active investor interest [4]

[music] [music] My name is Mariana Aranel and I'm going to tell you something else. I love fashion and something else. I also love to live in a healthy world.So here's the issue. I don't want fashion to kill our planet. Maybe you're wondering what this does fashion has to do with global warming, pollution, and all that stuff.So I'll explain you. Bu clothes is something completely normal. It is a need for us.But lately, buy bank clothes has changed and became a problem not just for the environment also for o ...

Zara is striving to shed its "fast fashion" label as rivals like Shein and Temu reshape the industry. https://t.co/Gl5bE9PBlY ...

Controversy and Criticism - Shein faces criticism from human rights and sustainability advocates for its labor practices and environmental impact [2] - France is considering suspending online access to Shein until it complies with French law regarding content [4] - Shein's website listings for sex dolls with childlike features generated backlash [3] - The president of the department store BHV called the sex doll listings "despicable" and supports the French government's right to suspend online access [8] Company Response - Shein states it has permanently banned seller accounts linked to illegal sex doll products and will tighten controls [4] - Shein denies allegations related to working conditions and claims to be working towards a more sustainable production ecosystem [5] Business Model and Consumer Behavior - Shein is criticized for its ultra-fast fashion business model, adding thousands of new items daily, with dresses often sold for around $5 [2][3] - Despite protests, long lines of shoppers formed outside the Paris store, attracted by the affordable prices [5] - The BHV department store president hopes the physical store will reduce impulsive online shopping [7] Market Presence - Shein opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Paris, occupying a 10,000 square foot portion of the BHV department store [1][2]

This is Okayama's famed Kojima Jeans Street where it's all about Japanese denim. Japanese denim is having its moment in the spotlight now with tourists and major fashion brands trying to get their hands on them. Just late last year, a private equity firm backed by LVMH acquired a stake in Japanese denim brand Kapital.This specific type of denim is marked by unique imperfections and a sewing pattern that can only be achieved using looms from a bygone era of Japan's industrial age. To get the fabrics signatur ...