CHRIST CHURCH, Barbados, Oct. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comfort Colors®, the trusted name in high-quality, soft, ring-spun cotton, is celebrating 50 years of spreading good vibes by taking its laid-back lifestyle to one of the South’s most spirited stages. On October 18, 2025, the brand will host a 50th Anniversary Game Day Pop-Up outside Sanford Stadium during the University of Georgia vs. Ole Miss matchup, creating an immersive experience that celebrates comfort, color and community. As part of the 50 ...

Core Points - Gildan Activewear Inc. will report its third quarter 2025 financial and operating results on October 29, 2025, with a press release before market opening and a conference call at 8:30 AM ET [1] - The conference call will include participation from key executives, including the President and CEO, COO, CFO, and Senior VP of Investor Relations [2] - Access to the conference call will be available via specific phone numbers and a live audio webcast, with a replay option for 7 days [3] Company Overview - Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel, offering products such as activewear, underwear, and socks to a diverse customer base, including wholesale distributors and retailers [4] - The company operates large-scale, vertically integrated manufacturing facilities primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh, emphasizing strong labor, environmental, and governance practices [5]

Core Insights - Digital Brands Group has joined Oracle PartnerNetwork to enhance its technology capabilities and accelerate the development of its technology tools for apparel and eCommerce brands [1][3] - The company is focusing on a differentiated model that integrates apparel with advanced solutions like AI-powered intellectual property protection and automated marketing [2][3] Company Overview - Digital Brands Group offers a variety of apparel through direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, leveraging customer data to create personalized content [4] - The company aims to safeguard authenticity and strengthen consumer trust while driving long-term growth in lifestyle and collegiate markets, particularly in the NIL collegiate apparel sector [2][3] Strategic Initiatives - The partnership with Oracle will enhance operational agility, expand data-driven insights, and support the integration of authenticity, protection, and marketing tools [3] - Digital Brands Group is positioning itself to capture growth in multi-billion dollar markets by addressing challenges such as IP infringement and consumer data protection [3]

Core Insights - The acquisition of Swisstex El Salvador and Unique El Salvador by Sae-A Trading enhances its control over advanced automated technology and environmentally sustainable processes in the textile industry [1][2] - Sae-A Trading's CEO emphasized that this acquisition is a significant step in the company's global expansion strategy, aiming to meet customer demand for innovative and high-quality apparel [2] - The deal is part of Sae-A's broader strategy to invest in technology, automation, and AI to improve production efficiency [2][4] Company Overview - Swisstex, founded in 1996, is known for its expertise in sustainable wet processing and specialty fabric finishes, including moisture management, UV resistance, and antimicrobial treatments [3] - The management team of Swisstex will remain in place in both the US and El Salvador to ensure operational continuity post-acquisition [3] Strategic Expansion - The acquisition builds on Sae-A's previous purchase of sportswear manufacturer Tegra in 2024, which expanded its operations across the US, Honduras, and El Salvador [4] - Sae-A Trading operates a vertically integrated global supply chain with facilities in North and Central America, as well as Vietnam and Indonesia, indicating a strong international presence [4]

Core Insights - The U.S. apparel manufacturing industry faces challenges in scalability compared to larger overseas factories, particularly in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam [1][2][4] - Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have led brands to reconsider sourcing strategies, but have not yet resulted in a significant increase in U.S. manufacturing or exports [2][5] - Domestic factories are not currently equipped to produce the same variety of products as Chinese factories, limiting their competitiveness [3][4] Group 1: Domestic Manufacturing Challenges - Two-thirds of U.S.-based apparel mills employ fewer than 10 people, making it difficult for them to scale production [1] - The lack of capabilities in domestic factories compared to their Chinese counterparts is a significant barrier to growth [4] - The uncertainty surrounding tariff rates and declining U.S. exports are potential barriers to attracting long-term investments in domestic manufacturing [16] Group 2: Investment and Future Outlook - The Berry Amendment provides a preference for domestic textile and apparel products in federal contracts, benefiting local manufacturers [9][10] - There is a call for investment in technology, such as AI and robotics, to enhance the future of U.S. manufacturing [12][13] - The domestic apparel industry could serve as a training ground for a skilled workforce needed for more complex manufacturing sectors [8] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - Approximately 97% of apparel sold in the U.S. is made offshore, with over 60% of retailers having no domestic manufacturing [19][20] - Brands and retailers are encouraged to consider even small quantities of domestic manufacturing to stimulate growth [20] - The cost of labor in the U.S. is often cited as a barrier, but comparisons with European manufacturing suggest that higher wages do not preclude successful domestic production [17][18]

Core Insights - iFabric Corp. announced a licensing agreement with Mercury Athletics LLC to design, manufacture, and market medical apparel under the Doctor's Choice brand [1] - The program will utilize multiple textile technologies from Intelligent Fabric Technologies (North America) Inc., particularly the PROTX2® technology [1] Company Overview - iFabric Corp. operates through its subsidiary, Intelligent Fabric Technologies (North America) Inc. [1] - The partnership with Mercury Athletics LLC aims to enhance the product offerings in the healthcare apparel market [1] Industry Implications - The incorporation of advanced textile technologies like PROTX2® is expected to improve the quality and functionality of medical apparel [1] - This agreement positions iFabric to capitalize on the growing demand for specialized healthcare apparel [1]

Core Insights - Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has partnered with Schneider Electric to enhance access to renewable electricity in its supply chain, starting in India [1] - The initiative aims to align renewable electricity supply with the demand from suppliers seeking to reduce emissions and improve resilience [1][2] Sustainability Goals - LS&Co. targets a 42% reduction in supply chain emissions by 2030 from a 2022 baseline, as part of its long-term goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 [3] - The program is designed to support suppliers in their sustainability strategies while fulfilling LS&Co.'s own emissions reduction targets [3] LEAP Program Details - The LEAP initiative will provide suppliers with competitive pricing, terms, and return on investment for renewable energy procurement [4] - The program includes training modules, financial analysis, and access to Schneider Electric's advisory services for textile and apparel manufacturing suppliers in India [5] Expansion Plans - Initially, LEAP will focus on textile and apparel manufacturing suppliers in India, with plans to expand to other business partners and regions in the future [6] - Suppliers participating in LEAP can explore various renewable energy purchasing options, including on-site solar and power purchase agreements (PPAs) [6] Industry Support - India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has expressed support for LS&Co.'s initiative, highlighting the benefits of accessible renewable energy opportunities for businesses [7] - Schneider Electric emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable energy across global supply chains to achieve significant climate impact [7]

Company Overview - Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) has a market cap of $18.6 billion and is a global leader in premium lifestyle products, including luxury apparel, accessories, fragrances, home furnishings, and hospitality services. The company was founded in 1967 and has developed a diversified brand portfolio [1][2]. Stock Performance - RL shares recently reached a 52-week high of $321.77 on September 5 and are currently trading 3.5% below this peak. Over the past three months, RL stock has increased by 14.8%, outperforming the Kraneshares Global Luxury Index ETF (KLXY), which rose by 10% during the same period [3]. - On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, RL shares have risen by 34.5% and have climbed 67.1% over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming KLXY's YTD gain of 10.1% and 12.1% returns over the last year [4]. Future Outlook - The company has forecasted mid-single-digit annual sales growth through fiscal 2028, indicating a potential slowdown compared to recent quarterly performance. This forecast led to a decline of over 1% in RL shares on September 16 [5]. - Wall Street analysts maintain a moderately bullish outlook on RL, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating from 19 analysts. The mean price target is set at $340.06, suggesting a potential upside of 9.5% from current price levels [6].

Core Viewpoint - Gildan Activewear Inc. has announced the pricing of a US$1.2 billion offering of senior unsecured notes to fund the acquisition of Hanesbrands Inc. and refinance existing debt [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering consists of two series of senior unsecured notes: US$600 million of 4.700% notes due October 7, 2030, and US$600 million of 5.400% notes due October 7, 2035 [1]. - The expected closing date for the offering is around October 7, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [2]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the notes will be used for the cash portion of the acquisition of Hanesbrands, refinancing Hanesbrands' existing debt, and covering related transaction fees and expenses [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel, including activewear, underwear, and socks, marketed under various brands such as Gildan®, American Apparel®, and Champion® [10]. - The company operates large-scale manufacturing facilities primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh, with a strong commitment to labor, environmental, and governance practices [11].

Core Insights - Toray has established a joint venture with MAS Holdings to penetrate the Indian apparel market, named Toray MAS Apparel India, with a new manufacturing facility in Odisha expected to be operational by early 2026 [1][2] Group 1: Joint Venture and Market Expansion - The joint venture aims to enhance local employment and economic growth by producing advanced, high-quality apparel [2] - The facility will address the increasing demand for textiles and apparel in India, with the market projected to reach $109.45 billion by 2025 and grow at an annual rate of 3.26% until 2029 [2][3] Group 2: Strategic Importance and Innovation - The Odisha facility is crucial for supporting customer needs, driving innovation, and contributing to regional economic development [3] - Strategic partnerships like this are essential for enhancing capabilities and delivering value-added solutions to customers [3] Group 3: Sustainability Initiatives - The facility will incorporate renewable energy solutions, advanced water and wastewater management systems, and energy-efficient technologies [3] - The design aligns with MAS Holdings' climate targets, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2048 [4]