Continue Cost-cutting - Kidswear Retailer Pumkin Patch

New Zealand-based childrenswear retailer Pumpkin Patch would continue with its cost-cutting exercise, by shutting down its underperforming outlets, in view of the prevailing difficult trade conditions.

Last year, the company lost US$ 1.8 million as it closed all its US outlets and tried to revive its ailing UK business. The company has also been countering the issue of low demand, which too is inducing it to cut costs.

As stated by the listed company’s newly appointed Chief Executive, Neil Cowie, they are even branching out into low-cost segments, including international wholesale trade and launch of a new website - Patch General Store.

According to Mr. Cowie, in this era of competition, if one does not consider being a multi-channel retailer, it is going to be much difficult to survive and move forward.

The international wholesale segment necessitates only a limited capital and is comparatively more appealing, he says, as the domestic retail partners incur the expenses for shop and possess the leases, while Pumpkin Patch only shares its design and logistic know-how.

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Five Trade Unions Outline Living Wage Demands

Following a two day national level meeting in Islamabad involving five trade union federations affiliated with International Textile Garments Leather Workers Federation unions have outlined a serious of key demands for the implementation of a living wage.

The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Pakistan Textile Garments Leather Workers Federation(PTGLWF), Pakistan National Textile Leather Garments and General Workers Federation (PNTLGGWF), Itehad Labour Union Carpet Industry Pakistan (ILUCP),Pakistan Textile Workers Federation(PTWF) and National Trade Union Federation (NTUF).

In the meeting the situation confronting the workers was the subject of detailed discussion and highlighted serious concerns on the high rate of inflation, low minimum wages, centuries old labour laws and poor enforcement of labour laws in Pakistan as well as the denial of social security and pension facilities to the majority of workers.

The meeting resolved to struggle against all these odds and demand from the government.

For more details please visit : Five Trade Unions Outline Living Wage Demands @ Fibre2fashion

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Brandix urges buyers : "Prefer green clothing if priced as non-green ones"

Brandix Lanka Ltd., Sri Lanka’s largest end-to-end apparel solutions provider and a leading apparel exporter, has urged its buyers from across the globe to prefer green clothing if they are priced the same as non-green ones, and thereby back the Sri Lankan apparel industry’s drive for sustainable production.

Retailers have been advocating the idea of sustainable and ethical production, but while procuring the goods, they only focus on price and prefer placing orders based on lowest cost, Brandix Lanka Chairman Ashroff Omar said while addressing the South Asian Leadership Forum, a discussion forum held as a part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival, which drew participation of world apparel industry players.

He clarified that he is not asking the retailers to procure green products by paying higher prices, but said they should draw a line between green and non-green products and recompense producers of green products through other non-monetary means.

Over the past few years, the domestic apparel producers in Sri Lanka have attempted to add more environmental sustainability element to their units, but the present economic slump in the Western economies and the rising demand for low cost items has brought the sustainability of this green policy under scanner.

For more details please visit :  Brandix urges buyers : "Prefer green clothing if priced as non-green ones" @ Fibre2fashion

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Lane Bryant, Joe Zee and Qristyl Frazier for full figured fashion : USA

Lane Bryant will be featured in the Friday, December 2nd episode of the critically acclaimed Sundance Channel series, All On The Line With Joe Zee.

In this episode, Lane Bryant Group President Brian Woolf and Senior Vice President of Product Design and Development Debbie Martin will determine whether or not to offer full figured fashion designer Qristyl Frazier a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create and sell an exclusive clothing line for the nation's leading women's curvy apparel retailer. Lane Bryant, Sundance Channel and Joe Zee will host an NYC viewing party – open to all customers and media for interview/photo opportunities – on Thursday, December 1st from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lane Bryant Fulton Street store (380 Fulton St. at the corner of Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11201).

"We are constantly looking for cutting-edge, vibrant designs to add to the Lane Bryant collection," said Mr. Woolf, who serves as Group President for the Lane Bryant brand of parent company Charming Shoppes, Inc. "All On The Line offers a unique opportunity for gifted designers to be mentored and matched up with leading retailers. Reality shows often focus solely on the artistic side of fashion; but Joe Zee's pragmatic approach to the business, combined with the design aspect, inspired us to be a part of the new season."

Read full article at : Lane Bryant, Joe Zee and Qristyl Frazier for full figured fashion : USA @ Fibre2fashion

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