In my recent visit to the MAGIC apparel show in Las Vegas, I noted several overarching trends and concerns that seemed to permeate both the show and the educational seminars. Topics involving free trade and especially the proposed new free trade agreement with Korea, effective in 2013, issues of quality control, sourcing strategies, the use of social media to reach customers, and the future of fashion were all significant.
Of particular interest to me, however, were those issues involving sustainability. Much of the “buzz” in that area was focused on concerns over corporate social responsibility. As I noted in my previous post, the number of organizations represented at SOURCING at MAGIC that dealt with international social compliance certification was an indicator of the importance of this issue to manufacturers. Additionally, there was a distinct focus on expanding fair trade, with companies in North and South America, Africa and Asia featured throughout the show. And, as I noticed in last year’s show, there continues to be a deep concern across the entire apparel and footwear industry for ensuring the integrity of the supply chain in order to protect brand image.
However, this year I also noticed an increased concern about environmental and public exposures to restricted substances. Thanks in large part to Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/water/detox/)which exposed links between textile manufacturing facilities causing toxic water pollution in China, and many of the world’s top clothing brands, the consumer is increasingly aware of and concerned about the potentially harmful impact of chemicals that are used in apparel and footwear. And, many national and international regulations such as REACH, and CPSIA have been issued to restrict or prohibit such chemicals.
Companies are increasingly concerned about the potential damage to their reputation and the effect on their brand image if these chemicals are found in their products. Of note is the fact that Nike, Adida, H&M, C&A and Li-Ning have committed to Detox, in response to the growing international Greenpeace campaign.
As a result, strategies to address the challenge of ensuring the integrity of the entire supply chain was a hot topic, and will likely continue to be for some time. In response to these concerns, apparel and footwear companies are collaborating on a unified approach to address this issue by embracing the requirements of worldwide consumer product regulations, recognized industrial standards, and chemical specifications.
As it turned out, this theme continued to surface in all my interactions with the athletic and outdoor industry in the Pacific Northwest, my next stop and topic of future posts.
http://www.magiconline.com/sourcing
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/water/nike-adidas-detox/
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/Clickers-and-Stickers-Make-HM-Detox/
