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 FASHION RETAIL BEAUTY SPORTSWEAR EYE MEMOPAD TEXTILES ACCESSORIES FINANCIAL  | Tuesday, March 20, 2007 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Tale of Two Wal-Marts: Retailer's Legacy, Future Collide in Transition Era Will the real Wal-Mart please stand up? The world's largest retailer sometimes seems like two different companies. Abercrombie Attitude Hits London The sales assistants are decked out in leather flip-flops, there are two muscled shirtless Welshmen standing guard near the door and the dance music thumps loudly. Clashing on Cotton The prospects for a political breakthrough in the Doha global trade talks remain "up in the air" nearly two months after world leaders agreed to revive the round, senior diplomats and industry experts said. _________________________________________________ Customer Service Customer Service Reps needed for various Los Angeles apparel and accessory companies. 1-2 years experience required. Knowledge of EDI, AIMS or Apparel Magic a plus. Ideal candidate will have fashion experience with specialty stores or major department stores. Fulltime and Temp to Hire positions available. Please respond with "WWD Customer Service" in the subject line of your email. Apply at wwd@24seveninc.com _________________________________________________ SOURCING HORIZONS/WWD Sourcing LEADERSHIP FORUM The "Sourcerer's" Apprentice Fashion might be increasingly dominated by large multinational companies with a keen focus on big volume and cost efficiencies, but that isn't the only avenue to success. High Anxiety Over China When the apparel industry's Washington contingent came to Manhattan for the sourcing forum, the first thing the members wanted to talk about was Beijing. Labor Compliance Issue Comes to the Forefront The way the apparel industry addresses labor rights abroad has evolved over the past decade, but as the abuses in Jordanian factories that came to light last year attest, much work remains to be done. Large Firms Balance Speed and Quality The competitive advantages of extensive sourcing expertise once held by major apparel manufacturers has been winnowed away by technological advances and the increasing pace of globalization. The Hunt for Value Meeting the increasing demands of apparel companies for speed and quality has forced suppliers to reexamine their business strategies, with a focus on providing additional services to their clients. Managing the Cost Factor Whether it is what the latest fall styles are, how retailers draw customers through their doors or what bankers are doing to keep the goods flowing, everything in fashion is a moving target. SOURCING HORIZONS Miami Firms Keep Sun From Setting Some 20 to 30 years ago, Stephen's Restaurant in Hialeah, Fla., was packed with New York garment executives who had relocated their businesses to the industrial city northwest of downtown Miami. Congress Eyes China Trade Action In control of the legislative agenda for the first time since President Bush took office six years ago, Democrats are working to build a consensus on Capitol Hill for legislation this year aimed at slowing China's import growth in the U.S. and easing the impact on the American economy. Guatemala Looks Upstream By the late 1980s, Guatemala had endured a long and violent history of political and military unrest. It was also during this time that the country started to stabilize and its textile industry began supplying the U.S. market. Freight Rate Talks Leave Port Negotiations between importers and ocean carriers on next year's shipping contracts kicked off in March, with carriers looking to significantly increase freight rates. Placing Apparel Production in Political Hot Spots In their push to drive efficiency and lower costs, brands are manufacturing apparel in a host of politically unstable countries where they have to not only manage their supply chain, but the possibility of sudden and sometimes violent political change.In their push to drive efficiency and lower costs, brands are manufacturing apparel in a host of politically unstable countries where they have to not only manage their supply chain, but the possibility of sudden and sometimes violent political change. Keeping Safe Overseas Apparel and textile executives operating in more than 116 countries shipped goods worth $93.3 billion to the U.S. last year, making fashion one of the most globally integrated of industries. Japan Looks to Revival of Exports The Japanese textile and apparel industry has begun new efforts to rebuild its export business after more than 20 years of erosion brought on by rising imports that now account for nearly 80 percent of the market share. Sourcing Digest The South Asian nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - all vibrant textile and apparel traders - are plagued by high costs ranging from setting up a business to conducting cross-border trade and need to push ahead with more reforms, a report by the World Bank said. FINANCIAL Malden Exits Bankruptcy as Polartec Chrysalis Capital Partners, a private equity group operating through its newly formed Polartec subsidiary, has purchased the assets of Malden Mills out of bankruptcy for $44 million, marking the start of a new chapter for the performance fabric producer. Field Narrows in Chase for Claire's Apollo Management LP is believed to be the only private equity firm left in the bidding for Claire's Stores Inc., but there's no guarantee that a deal will be concluded. Woolrich Taps President, Chairman Woolrich Inc. on Monday announced a succession plan after the death last week of president and chief executive officer Roswell Brayton Jr. Dell'Acqua Plans Expansion for U.S. Alessandro Dell'Acqua's new owners, the investors of the Luxembourg-based holding group Redlux, have an ambitious agenda for the brand, especially for its U.S. expansion. TEXTILE & TRADE REPORT S. Korean Free Trade Talks Enter Homestretch As U.S. and South Korean trade negotiators make a final push to reach a free trade accord before the end of the month, crucial work remains in the apparel and textiles area. _________________________________________________ STILL NOT A SUBSCRIBER? WWD.COM is the fashion industry's must-have business tool! Get all the day's industry news, up-to-the-minute breaking news, web exclusives, complete classified listings and more. http://www.wwd.com/jump/subscribe _________________________________________________ MEDIA/ADVERTISING Memo Pad: Bringing Sexy Back... Moving Parts... Jennifer Barnett GQ banked its best-selling issue of 2006 with its theme of "Love, Sex and Madness" last April, featuring cover model Adriana Lima. New Initiative for France's Artisans Representatives from the artisanal backbone of France"s luxury sector - food to fashion - gathered under the vaulted roof of the Grand Palais last week to mark a new government initiative: "Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivants" or "Businesses of National Heritage." BEAUTY REPORT Beauty Beat: Gwen Stefani Dives Into Fragrance Coty Prestige took the phrase "making a splash" quite literally Monday afternoon during the unveiling of Gwen Stefani's first fragrance, called L. RETAIL Creating a New Selfridges Selfridges is subtly reinventing itself yet again, tweaking its offerings and layout to appeal to customers' evolving tastes. ACCESSORIES REPORT Swatch Profits Surge in '06 Signaling more good times ahead for the luxury watch and jewelry sector, Swatch Group AG said 2006 net profits jumped 33.7 percent to 830 million Swiss francs, or $684.9 million, from 621 million Swiss francs, or $512.5 million, and added that 2007 is off to an "excellent start" with "outstanding prospects." EYE Western Union "I can't wait for the Allegra Hicks bandwagon to leave New York," joked Ghislaine Maxwell as she prepared for another round of festivities on Wednesday in honor of the British designer. READY-TO-WEAR REPORT Simonton Says What to Wear George Simonton auditioned for the new reality show "I Don't Have a Thing to Wear" while teaching his contemporary tailored design class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Geoffrey Beene Estate Sets The Bar High for Philanthropy With a $5 million gift to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Geoffrey Beene Estate has set the philanthropy bar high. FASHION Fashion Scoops: Adult Education... Dressing Hillary... Kimora Lee In L.A. Eisbar co-founder Bobby Benveniste didn't rest much after last spring's final shipment of his Los Angeles-based graphics-inspired line. Minimal, Crafted and Louche At Gen Art's The New Garde 2007, three promising collections, shown simultaneously via interactive installations, stuck true to the organization's artsy roots. Obituary Obituary: Raymond D. Nasher, 85, Developer of NorthPark Funeral services were held here Monday for Raymond D. Nasher, the arts philanthropist and developer of NorthPark Center mall, who died Friday. He was 85. SNAPSHOT Snapshot: Mining Cole... Casting Call... Plot Twist... Thirty-three-year-old actress Beth Cole didn't have to spend much time playing toothy ingenues on stage. Instead, the Vermont and Detroit native skipped straight to the gritty roles. GENERAL In Brief: Kmart Settles With FTC... Kenzer Hires Kmart agreed to settle a Federal Trade Commission charge that it engaged in deceptive practices in connection with its gift card by not adequately disclosing fees for nonuse, according to federal regulators in a release Monday. | Advertisement  | ||||||
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