CEO Interview Pacsun is riding the wave of its own reinvention. What started in 1980 as a small surf shop in Newport Beach, California, has grown into one of the main youth apparel retailers in the United States, with sales growing by about 10 percent in each of the past two years, reaching 970 million dollars in 2025, the company reported. Steering that momentum is CEO Brieane Olson.

Paris - Decathlon wants to acquire 50 percent of Sport 2000 France, the two rival companies announced on Monday. This merger could shake up the sporting goods market, which was already disrupted by Intersport's acquisition of dozens of Go Sport stores in 2023.

Shein will become the fourteenth most valuable listed fashion company in the FashionUnited Top 100 index when it starts trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange on September 1, 2026, at a market capitalisation of up to 26.80 billion dollars. That places the Singapore-headquartered, China-founded retailer directly below Sweden's H&M and above US group Tapestry. The figure also represents a fall of roughly 70% from the almost 100 billion dollars the company was worth in 2022.

Brazilian sporting goods entity SBF Group (SBF), which owns distributor Fisia, has announced an amendment extending its distribution agreement with Nike until May 31, 2034.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has called for greater transparency and due process as Canada moves to strengthen its ban on goods produced with forced labour.

Brand licensor Esprit Holdings has reported a net loss of 87.74 million Hong Kong dollars in the first half, following a small profit in the same period last year.

British retail giant Frasers Group has called on the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to reconsider its approach to recommended retail prices (RRPs), arguing that current guidance risks creating unnecessary barriers to price competition.

Numerous employees are taking legal action against the dismissals at the Zalando logistics centre in Erfurt.

The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) is calling on apparel brands to publicly disclose what they have received in US tariff refunds and urging them to give a fair share to the suppliers and workers who absorbed the cost.

EssilorLuxottica SA (ESLOY.PK, ESLOF.PK, EL.PA, ESL.DE), an Italian manufacturer of optical lenses, Friday said that it has launched a share buyback program.

US specialty apparel giant Gap Inc. announced its second quarter financial results for the period ended August 1, 2026. The company experienced a top-line decline, with net sales decreasing 2 percent year-over-year (YoY) to 3.7 billion dollars, while comparable sales dropped 1 percent. Store sales fell 3 percent compared to the prior year across its portfolio of 2,471 company-operated retail locations. Online sales fell 1 percent YoY, representing 35 percent of total net sales.

Authentic Brands Group has snapped up a majority stake in October’s Very Own (OVO, the lifestyle brand founded by rapper Drake. The deal will also see involvement from Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE), which will serve as the core apparel and retail licensee in the deal.

Finnish materials technology company Spinnova has publicly filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing relates to a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of equity securities in the US and a dual listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Ami Paris has launched its first childrenswear line, Ami Kids, extending the brand's signature Ami de Cœur heart emblem into a new category as the Sequoia Capital-backed Paris label looks for its next growth lever after several years of rapid expansion.

Austrian fiber manufacturer Lenzing has announced that its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), held on August 25, 2026, approved an increase in share capital while preserving the statutory subscription rights of existing shareholders. The measure is designed to strengthen the balance sheet structure of the company and finance the execution of its strategic transformation strategy, titled 'Grow Nonwovens, Reset Textiles'.

Publicly listed e-commerce group PDD Holdings Inc., which operates the online platforms Temu and Pinduoduo, was impacted by challenging market conditions in the second quarter of the 2026 financial year. The latest results, published by the company on Monday, fell short of market expectations despite a further increase in revenue.

Fairtrade has fundamentally revised its textile standard. The new version will come into effect on Tuesday, September 1, and will now only apply to the final stage of garment production.

Lifestyle retail group Urban Outfitters delivered record net sales and its highest adjusted profit quarter in company history, for the second quarter ended July 31, 2026.

Apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F) has announced its financial results for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026, delivering record net sales and marking its 15th consecutive quarter of growth. Following the results, the company raised its full-year revenue and operating margin outlook.

Italian luxury house Dolce & Gabbana has reached an agreement with its lending pool to waive financial covenant breaches and stabilize liquidity following an operating loss and increased debt in its latest fiscal year.

Watchmaker Movado Group has announced its financial results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2027 ended July 31, 2026, delivering top- and bottom-line growth alongside expanded margins. Net sales for the second quarter grew 4.9 percent to 169.8 million dollars compared to 161.8 million dollars in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. On a constant-dollar basis, sales increased 4.4 percent. The growth reflected broad-based gains across owned and licensed brands, direct and wholesale channels, and key geographies.

Chinese luxury fashion group Lanvin Group has announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2026, highlighting a marked improvement in profitability and a substantial reduction in losses despite a challenging market.

CEO interview

A ban on destroying unsold goods since the end of July, extended producer responsibility by 2028 and a digital product passport: the European Union is abruptly tightening its grip on the textile industry. This is an analysis of the political timeline and its major impacts on the sector.

The news went relatively unnoticed. It deserves, however, to be examined closely.

British retail giant Frasers Group has escalated its takeover battle with Accent Group by publicly calling for chairman Lawrence Myers to resign, accusing the Australian retailer’s board of governance failures, poor capital allocation and a lack of accountability.

India is moving to a more proportionate enforcement regime for minor violations in the textile sector, with the government proposing to replace criminal prosecution and imprisonment with administrative warnings and financial penalties.

British retailer Russell & Bromley owes 37.5 million pounds to unsecured creditors following its collapse into administration in January, according to a progress report from joint administrators Interpath seen by the media.

Belgian lingerie group Van de Velde reported a 5.2 percent increase in reported revenue to 115.7 million euros (135 million dollars) for the first half of 2026, up from 110 million euros in the prior-year period. On a comparable basis, taking into account seasonal delivery shifts, consolidated revenue rose 4 percent to 116.6 million euros.

Chinese sportswear group Anta Sports Products Limited continued its growth in the first half of the 2026 financial year. This is according to preliminary figures published on Wednesday by the parent company of brands such as Anta, Descente and Jack Wolfskin.

Interview

Interview In London, designer Joshua Samuels made a business out of not making anything new. For years, he and his team have been rescuing discarded textiles from being landfilled and transforming them into streetwear pieces that have found consumers all over the world.

US-based sports retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods reported its financial results for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026. Consolidated net sales rose 53.2 percent to 5.59 billion dollars compared to 3.65 billion dollars in the prior year period, primarily reflecting the acquisition of Foot Locker. However, net income for the second quarter declined to 315.46 million dollars, down from 381.40 million dollars in the same period last year.

Metzingen-based fashion group Hugo Boss AG launched its share buyback programme, announced in the spring, on Monday. It plans to acquire its own shares with a total value of up to 200 million euros. The programme will run until December 31, 2027.

The secondary market for luxury goods is growing two to three times faster than the primary market, according to the 2026 resale report by US online resale platform The RealReal (TRR), titled “The Revolution of Resale.”

A few hours after launching its initial public offering in Hong Kong, Shein faces a new complication in the US. The acquisition of Everlane, completed in May for 80 million dollars, is now under review by the CFIUS.

Hong Kong - Shein will debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on September 1, the fast-fashion retailer said on Monday, in a long-awaited listing that would value the group at close to US$27 billion.

British retailer Mamas & Papas has completed a refinancing that it says will strengthen its financial position and support the next stage of its growth strategy, following a record year for the nursery retailer.

CEO Interview Fashion has spent years promoting sustainability through collections, labels and broad claims, but growing regulatory scrutiny and high-profile greenwashing accusations are now making brands more reluctant to talk publicly about their environmental progress. This phenomenon has been dubbed ‘greenhushing’, a concept that isn’t new, but is receiving renewed attention as environmental marketing faces more stringent restrictions in Europe, pushing brands to reassess how much they can safely say.

Chinese fast fashion giant Shein has reportedly delayed its market float following concerns over the listing from investors. According to the South China Morning Post, Shein is now expected to make its Hong Kong debut on September 1, with a lower valuation between 26 to 27 billion dollars.

Denim finishing illustrates the severe structural friction within the textile industry, where high-speed fast-fashion cycles and evolving design demands clash with resource-heavy manufacturing, complex chemistry, and fragmented supply chains. Unlike standard apparel, denim relies on post-construction finishing—such as washing, bleaching, and distressing—to define both its aesthetic appeal and market value. However, this stage is among the most resource-intensive phases in apparel production, requiring excessive water and energy while introducing substantial chemical usage and occupational hazards into the workflow.

Roots has found a new home. The Canadian outdoor and lifestyle brand has been snapped up by Marquee Brands in a deal intended to both preserve Roots’ heritage and grow its global presence. The change of hands follows a strategic review of the business, which involved a sale process that attracted a number of interested parties.

Madrid – The Barcelona-based fashion firm Brava Fabrics has been in voluntary administration since June 25. A bidding war has now opened for the insolvency process. This phase is expected to conclude on September 15 with the fully operational company being handed over to a new owner.

Bentonville - Walmart, the world's largest retailer, benefited from strong growth in its advertising revenue, a thriving online business and customs duty refunds from the US government during its second fiscal quarter.

Paris - British online clothing chain Boohoo has been fined 2.33 million euros. The fine follows an investigation that revealed “deceptive commercial practices”, the French fraud authority announced on Thursday.

US brand management firm Authentic Brands Group has expanded its strategic partnership with Luzern eCommerce, giving the group’s brand portfolio access to marketplace and retail media services across Europe.

High street retailer M&Co is revealed to have owed unsecured creditors over 46 million pounds at the time of its collapse, with 1,800 jobs also reportedly lost.

The website of Radley London has shuttered months after the British accessory brand entered administration and was rescued by Gordon Brothers in a pre-pack deal. New reports now suggest that the label’s stores are also due to close.

US off-price retailer The TJX Companies (TJX) has reported net sales of 15.18 billion dollars for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026, representing a 5 percent increase compared to the same period in the prior year. Consolidated comparable sales, or comp sales, grew 4 percent, exceeding company forecasts.

Colombia’s textile and garment sector is a critical pillar of its industrial economy. Combining over a century of manufacturing heritage with modern technical capabilities, the country has carved out a distinct niche in value-added fashion and specialty apparel. Its strategic proximity to North America and favourable trade mechanisms make Colombia a key player in nearshoring, especially for the US market.

Last week, Brazilian holding company Azzas 2154 presented its results for the second quarter of 2026. Gross revenue fell by 7.1 percent to 3.4 billion reais (656.5 million dollars) compared to the second quarter of last year. This was “mainly impacted by a 13.6 percent drop in sell-in channels.” Gross profit, at 1.5 billion reais, saw a 5.9 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

Diplomats discuss tariffs and cross-border fluidity. Textile manufacturers, however, are watching how these barriers actually change their costs, market opportunities and production choices.

Superdry & Co has signed a multi-year co-branding agreement with Italian sportswear label Kappa, making it the first sportswear brand to join the British apparel label's expanding portfolio of partner labels.

Wolford AG is making progress with its restructuring. In the first half of the current financial year, the Austrian lingerie and clothing provider's turnover of 31 million euros was below the previous year's figure of 33 million euros. However, the group made significant progress in its earnings.

Washington - The Estée Lauder Co. Inc. (EL), a cosmetics company, on Wednesday reported that its net loss narrowed in the fourth quarter compared with the loss in the same period a year earlier. The company also raised its full-year 2027 adjusted operating margin outlook.

A federal lawsuit brought by fashion brand Antthony Design Originals against QVC Group will move forward following the US shopping group’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

According to the latest data published by Brand Finance, the cumulative value of the world's top 50 apparel brands has decreased by 4 percent to 350.9 billion dollars in 2026. This contraction occurs amidst a climate of macroeconomic uncertainty and a realignment of consumer expectations. Despite these challenges, the industry is showing resilience, driven by innovation, strategic alliances and an increased focus on the relevance of its offerings.

The website of British department store Harvey Nichols has shuttered following its acquisition by Frasers Group. The luxury retailer has warned customers that its online business will remain unavailable while it completes a period of transition under new ownership.

Poundland owner Gordon Brothers is reportedly exploring a potential sale of the UK discount retailer just over a year after acquiring the business.

Gap Inc. is expanding its presence across the Nordic and Baltic markets through a new strategic partnership with Iconic Brands Nordic, as the US apparel group continues to grow its international footprint through local partners and omnichannel retail.

Swedish digital finance network Klarna reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, delivering positive net income and notable expansion across key operational metrics.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, Amer Sports has delivered results that significantly exceeded expectations and has once again raised its targets for 2026. Behind the 32 percent revenue growth, the group is benefiting primarily from a shift in mix, strong direct-to-consumer progression and spectacular expansion across Asia.

Background

Serena Bute London is closing down, with its autumn/winter 2026 collection marking its final release, founder Serena Bute has announced on Tuesday.

UK-based retail conglomerate Frasers Group plc (Frasers) has significantly consolidated its ownership in German premium fashion label Hugo Boss following the conclusion of its voluntary public takeover offer.

UK luxury activewear label Perfect Moment reported a 21.9 percent decline in net revenue to 1.2 million dollars for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2026, down from 1.5 million dollars in the year-ago quarter. However, net loss improved to 3.5 million dollars versus 3.8 million dollars in the prior year.

CEO Interview In 1966, Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner arrived in Los Angeles, California, to create a footwear brand dedicated to tennis players. This August, their brand, K-Swiss, is throwing a party in New York City during US Open season to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Financial investor L Catterton is selling a block of Birkenstock shares worth approximately one billion dollars. The sandal manufacturer plans to buy back half of these shares. Following the completion of the transaction, scheduled for this Monday, the investor's stake will fall below 50 percent.

Singapore-headquartered online fast fashion retailer Shein is targeting a market valuation between 25 billion dollars and 28 billion dollars for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong stock market, Reuters reported citing market sources.

In a market announcement on Thursday evening, August 13, Allos, the largest Brazilian company in the shopping centre sector, reported that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with XP Malls. The agreement is for the total sale of its 60 percent stake in São Bernardo Plaza Shopping.

Nearshoring in the garment industry has evolved from a defensive reaction and temporary safety net to shipping crises into a permanent, data-driven core strategy. With sweeping US tariff pressures in 2026 and stringent European eco-regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Digital Product Passport (DPP), brands are strategically restructuring how and where they produce clothing.

Fashion tech company IoDF – or the Institute of Digital Fashion – is rebranding as Patina, marking what founders Leanne Elliott Young and Cat Taylor describe as a new chapter for the business after six years of developing technology for the fashion industry.

US heritage footwear brand G.H.Bass will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026. At the same time, the brand is looking back on 90 years of the Weejuns loafer. The anniversary coincides with a period of expansion, particularly in the German market.

Swedish jewellery brand Mockberg is expanding its international presence, with a strategic focus on the DACH region and the UK. Alisa Ernst has been appointed managing director for DACH & UK to steer this growth. She will be responsible for establishing and expanding the brand's presence in both markets. Ernst brings industry experience from her previous roles at Acne Studios in Stockholm and Jimmy Choo in London.

UK-based specialist parenting and kidswear group Mothercare has reported its full-year financial results for the 52-week period ended March 28, 2026, recording a statutory loss after tax of 5 million pounds. The performance represents a decline from a statutory profit of 6.2 million pounds achieved in the prior financial year ended March 29, 2025.

South Korean apparel group Misto Holdings has reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, recording consolidated revenue of 1.4 trillion South Korean won (approximately 988 million dollars), representing a 16.6 percent increase year-over-year (YoY). Consolidated operating profit for the period rose 62.3 percent YoY to 295.2 billion South Korean won.

Austrian jewellery and crystal specialist Swarovski has reported continued growth in the first half of 2026, with organic sales up 6 percent year-on-year and like-for-like growth reaching 8 percent.

Japanese sportswear brand Asics’ European division, Netherlands-based Asics EMEA, has reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, recording a revenue increase of 32.9 percent compared to the second quarter of 2025. Excluding Onitsuka Tiger, the performance was driven by profitable growth across all categories.

Finnish materials technology company Spinnova is preparing for a potential US stock market debut, as it looks to raise at least 15 million dollars to support the commercialisation and scale-up of its wood-based textile fibre technology.

Chinese fast fashion giant Shein has lost a copyright battle against its rival Temu in a case centred on thousands of product photographs that Shein alleged had been used on Temu’s UK platform to promote copies of its own-brand clothing.

Swedish sports and fashion group Björn Borg AB (Björn Borg) has reported its interim financial results for the second quarter (Q2) and first six months ending June 30, 2026, delivering improved profitability and gross margin expansion despite top-line headwinds.

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US footwear group Wolverine Worldwide (WWW) has raised its full-year outlook after a stronger-than-expected second quarter, with growth led by its Merrell and Saucony brands.

The European textile and clothing industry is at a a pivotal moment and continues to serve as an economic pillar with 166 billion euros in annual turnover according to Euratex’s Facts & Figures 2026 report. Despite sustaining nearly 200,000 companies and 1.2 million jobs, the sector is grappling with contraction. Structural macroeconomic pressures, rising operational expenses within Europe, and cooling global demand have triggered a notable 2.8 percent decline in employment, forcing the industry to adapt rapidly to survive.

Frasers Group, the British retail giant owned by Mike Ashley, has confirmed its acquisition of luxury department store Harvey Nichols following weeks of rumours surrounding the potential deal.

US luxury group Tapestry, Inc. (Tapestry), the parent company of Coach and Kate Spade New York achieved double-digit top- and bottom-line growth across fourth quarter and full year. The performance for the period ending June 27, 2026, was driven by strong handbag demand at flagship brand Coach and international expansion across Asia and Europe.

Circular textiles NGO Ellen MacArthur Foundation has said it will be working with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on developing and delivering a national textiles circularity policy framework.

German footwear manufacturer Birkenstock increased its revenue in the third quarter of the current 2026 financial year, subsequently raising its forecast.

Berlin-based eyewear retailer Mister Spex SE has concluded the first half of 2026 with a decline in revenue.

Seville-based fashion group and brand Scalpers has taken a stake in Yuxus, a Madrid-based youth fashion brand founded in 2018. Both companies have presented the deal as a strategic alliance in a statement.

Samsonite Group has agreed to acquire Béis, the lifestyle and travel brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell, in a deal valuing the business at approximately 210 million dollars.

US-based performance footwear and apparel brand Brooks Running (Brooks) has posted a record second quarter, delivering 14 percent year-to-date revenue growth as demand for its products remained strong across all regions and channels.

In an unprecedented document published at the end of July, China directly contests Western accusations of industrial 'overcapacity'.

Finnish lifestyle design company Marimekko has released its half-year financial report for January to June 2026. The Helsinki-based company recorded second-quarter (Q2) net sales of 43.9 million euros (50.57 million dollars), nearly matching the record comparison period of 44.5 million euros. The performance was supported by strong international retail growth, particularly in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which offset a retail decline in its domestic market.

US-based watch and lifestyle company Fossil Group (Fossil) has updated its full year guidance following performance above expectations in its second quarter ending July 4, 2026.