Sourcing

  • A view of a forest containing thick greenery and large trees.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Consumers want ethical sourcing, labeling on manmade fibers: report

    Nearly three quarters of survey respondents think materials such as viscose and lyocell should come from sustainable forests.

    By • June 26, 2024
  • A brand image of Fibretrace's device that can identify the origin of a fiber.
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    Courtesy of Fibretrace
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    Target, FibreTrace and Cargill partner to verify raw cotton

    Luminescent pigments are integrated into raw cotton to track it throughout the global supply chain to verify U.S. and Brazilian cotton.

    By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • June 17, 2024
  • Various pieces of apparel is seen on a clothing rack, hanging by hangers.
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    Ben Gabbe via Getty Images
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    Continued plastic use financially risky for brands: report

    Existing and upcoming legislation ramps up pressure for companies to find more sustainable materials, according to byPlasticFree.

    By Lauren Schenkman • June 13, 2024
  • Nordstrom Rack, at Codding Town, Bend, Oregon
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    Daphne Howland/NordinV
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    Nordstrom nears completion on West Coast fulfillment transition

    By transitioning operations to an omnichannel center, the retailer is building on its efforts to lower fulfillment costs.

    By Kelly Stroh • June 13, 2024
  • The interior of the UN Trusteeship at the UN headquarters.
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    Zoya Mirza/NordinV
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    The fashion industry’s ‘urgent need’ for sustainable practices

    It is “incumbent” on the industry to “bring new solutions forward,” said experts and stakeholders at the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network annual meeting.

    By Zoya Mirza • June 7, 2024
  • Models walk in a line between metallic warehouse shelves lined with boxes.
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    Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
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    OTB implements tracking and certification technology

    Diesel confiscated almost 44,000 counterfeit bags in China as its parent company implements NFT certification for its luxury lines.

    By • June 6, 2024
  • A pile of pulp from textile recycling firm Renewcell sits against a dark background.
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    Courtesy of Renewcell
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    Renewcell lands buyer, will operate under new name

    Following bankruptcy, the Circulose maker was acquired by Sweden-based investment firm Altor in a move to help the company “thrive on a global scale.”

    By • June 5, 2024
  • A Gildan distribution center is pictured.
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    Courtesy of Gildan
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    Gildan reinstates Glenn Chamandy as CEO

    The activewear company’s founder was fired in December 2023 but is back in the top spot after a months-long battle between the previous board and activist investor Browning West.

    By • May 29, 2024
  • Sneakers are displayed in a grid formation on a wall.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Cambodian garment workers demand severance pay from Adidas

    A union leader for the group traveled to Germany on behalf of 500 people who sewed for the company in 2020 and said they were tricked into resigning.

    By Lauren Schenkman • May 28, 2024
  • Exterior of Lulus' pink retail store on Melrose Avenue
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    Courtesy of Lulus
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    Shipping carrier diversification benefits Lulus in Q1

    The fashion brand has added more delivery providers in recent quarters to offset rising shipping costs.

    By Max Garland • May 24, 2024
  • Migrant workers pick cotton in a field.
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    Guang Niu/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Nearly 20% of cotton-containing tested products traced to Xinjiang, China: report

    More than 800 items, including apparel and footwear, had fibers from the contested region, despite U.S. bans over forced labor concerns.

    By Lauren Schenkman • Updated May 28, 2024
  • An image of the Cotopaxi logo, taken inside the San Francisco, California retail store on April 29, 2024.
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    Edwin Lopez/NordinV
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    How Cotopaxi navigated remediation of a tier 1 supplier

    The outdoor apparel and accessories brand chose remediation over removal to avoid exacerbating negative worker impacts, an executive said.

    By S.L. Fuller • May 2, 2024
  • A person operates a tractor that is harvesting cotton on a farm.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Better Cotton audits farms it previously certified following deforestation investigation

    Watchdog Earthsight called the certifier’s audit “so flawed as to be almost worthless.”

    By • May 1, 2024
  • A black "Lululemon" sign features the red and white brand logo and white lettering, hanging in front of a leafy tree.
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    Daphne Howland/NordinV
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    Lululemon shutters Washington distribution center

    The athleticwear brand is laying off nearly 130 employees, but a spokesperson said some will relocate to its new Los Angeles location and other facilities.

    By Kelly Stroh • April 30, 2024
  • A person walks past the European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium.
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Human rights and environmental legislation approved by European Parliament

    The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive holds companies and supply chain partners accountable for ESG compliance.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 25, 2024
  • Machinery removes forestation across a wide plain.
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    Courtesy of Thomas Bauer/Earthsight 2023
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    Cotton used by H&M and Zara linked to illegal deforestation: report

    A year-long investigation by nonprofit Earthsight found that fiber certified by ethical supply chain organization Better Cotton was grown on "stolen" and "deforested" land in Brazil.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 18, 2024
  • A Flexport warehouse.
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    Courtesy of Flexport
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    Shein taps Flexport as logistics partner for US marketplace

    The arrangement allows orders made through the fast fashion giant to activate logistics processes with the freight forwarder.

    By Max Garland • April 17, 2024
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at a podium.
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    John Moore/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    DHS unveils ‘enhanced strategy’ to fight illicit trade in textile industry

    The plan includes cracking down on small shipments that fall under the de minimis exemption and benefit fast fashion giants such as Shein and Temu.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 11, 2024
  • Garment workers in Dindigul are pictured near sheets of fabrics.
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    Courtesy of Asia Floor Wage Alliance
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    11 years after Rana Plaza tragedy, fashion brands still failing to improve treatment of garment workers: report

    While fashion brands have disclosed more about their supply chain, advocacy group Fashion Revolution said the industry has not done much to clean it up.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 9, 2024
  • Hands of young girl using sewing machine in workshop.
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    Thanaphong Araveeporn via Getty Images
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    Apparel execs urge sourcing diversification amid geopolitical risks

    Executives at an American Apparel & Footwear Association event underscored the need to find alternative sourcing as U.S.-China relations continue to fray.

    By Ben Unglesbee • April 9, 2024
  • Steam rises from factory pipes in a city and the sky behind the pipes is bright pink and orange.
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    lapandr via Getty Images
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    Fashion fails to keep ‘grandiose promises’ on sustainability, human rights: report

    Major brands haven’t improved their practices compared to last year, according to the 2024 Remake Fashion Accountability Report.

    By Lauren Schenkman • March 29, 2024
  • A gold Tabi split toe boot sits on a clear stand.
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    Courtesy of OTB Group
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    OTB Group acquires majority stake in luxury footwear manufacturer

    Italy-based Calzaturificio Stephen has been a strategic supplier for the company for more than 20 years and makes Maison Margiela’s popular Tabi shoes.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • Bulk fabric ready for recycling sits in warehouse.
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    Retrieved from Renewcell on March 19, 2024
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    Renewcell extends deadline for purchase offers

    Potential buyers have until March 28 to submit bids following the textile waste recycling company’s bankruptcy filing last month.

    By • March 19, 2024
  • A general view inside the European Parliament.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Workers’ rights and environmental legislation endorsed by European Union

    The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive would require companies to take responsibility for detecting and remedying problems in their supply chains.

    By Lauren Schenkman • March 15, 2024
  • An American Eagle storefront at a mall
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    Cara Salpini/NordinV
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    American Eagle ‘refocused’ logistics arm amid third-party business woes

    The retailer faced $98.3 million in impairment and restructuring charges from Quiet Platforms in Q4 as it adjusted to reduced e-commerce fulfillment demand.

    By Max Garland • March 12, 2024