Supply Chain news and archive

The volume shift: How Asian online retailers move from individual parcels to bulk inventory

The landscape of international trade and e-commerce logistics across Europe has undergone a fundamental structural realignment. For years, the European Union’s long-standing low-value customs duty exemption—the de minimis threshold—allowed billions of individual parcels valued under 150 euros to flood into member states from Asian manufacturing...

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US fashion industry poised for sourcing consolidation and AI integration, study finds

The US fashion industry is facing another year of uncertainty. From the IEEPA tariffs that were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court to the expiring Section 122 tariffs that took their place to the new 301 and 232 tariffs – tariffs remain a top concern for US fashion businesses from brands and retailers to importers. The United States...

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Textile production generates 92,000 tonnes of microfibre pollution each year, report finds

New research from Earth Action has found that textile manufacturing generates around 92,000 tonnes of microfibre pollution annually, with more than 63 percent of this waste ultimately leaking into the environment. In the NGO’s ‘From Shedding to Solutions’, it is suggested that despite wastewater treatment capturing a significant proportion of...

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Gironde wildfires cripple fashion's supply chain at peak sales season

Blocked in evacuated warehouses, cut off from major road networks or threatened by toxic smoke, textile and clothing stocks in south-west France are facing an unprecedented shock during the peak summer season. For several days, a massive wildfire has been devastating the Gironde department, from the Cap-Ferret peninsula to the outskirts of...

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Australian Fashion Council explores first local clothing smart factory

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned a feasibility study into establishing a clothing smart factory in New South Wales, with the longer-term aim of creating a scalable model for local garment manufacturing. The proposed facility would give Australian fashion brands access to small-scale, on-demand production and product...

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What the India-UK trade agreement means for the fashion industry

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially entered into force on 15th July 2026, marking a landmark moment for the textile and garment sectors of both nations. By eliminating import duties of up to 12 percent on Indian apparel and home textiles, the agreement provides Indian exporters with immediate, duty-free...

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Australia to reform modern slavery regulations

The Australian government has proposed plans to reform its Modern Slavery Act with the goal of strengthening preventive efforts against exploitation in the domestic supply chain. If implemented, companies turning in an annual revenue of over 100 million Australian dollars would be required to identify, prevent, and address risks of modern...

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Make it British trade show to return in 2027 after seven-year break

Make it British is bringing back its trade show Make it British Live! in January 2027, following a seven-year absence. The two-day event will take place in London on 12 and 13 January 2027, with the venue and further details set to be announced in August. The event aims to reconnect brands, designers and buyers with manufacturers across the UK...

Retail

Fire at Chinese shoe factory causes "heavy casualties", says President Xi

Beijing - A fire at a shoe factory in China on Thursday resulted in “heavy casualties”, according to President Xi Jinping. Nearly 200 firefighters and rescue workers were mobilised, according to official authorities and media. The fire broke out around midday (4am GMT) at the Huiteng factory in Jinjiang, in the Fujian province (south-east of the...

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NCTO pushes for tougher forced-labor tariffs in USTR Section 301 investigation

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents the full breadth of the US textile industry, has offered recommendations in the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) ongoing Section 301 investigations, calling for new tariffs on apparel imports from countries at risk of forced labour in...

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Fairs

New location and refreshed partnerships: What you need to know about Source Fashion

Source Fashion has almost arrived, and with it comes a number of major changes as the London-based manufacturing-focused fair continues to evolve. Running from July 7 to 9, the summer edition will emphasise the event’s overarching mission of spotlighting responsible sourcing. Around 305 exhibitors are expected to attend from across 19 countries...

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From UFLPA to DPP: The shift from cheap labour to complete transparency

In recent years, the global textile and apparel landscape has transformed from a race for the cheapest labour to a high-stakes battle over supply chain data. While the EU and its trade partners are readying themselves for the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP), not a few are wondering which impact it will have on global logistics....