Japan’s apparel market continues to be weak, reflecting poor conditions in the economy as a whole. Japanese retail sales fell in January for the 34th month in succession. Department stores, chain stores and even supermarkets are suffering as consumers turn to Japan’s rapidly expanding discount store networks for lower prices and wider product ranges. Recently, one of Japan’s oldest retail store chain operators collapsed with massive debts.
Japan’s apparel producers are in an even weaker position than retailers. At least consumers have to visit Japanese stores on a regular basis, whereas retailers are able to buy from foreign suppliers. Moreover, apparel producers can no longer rely on the unique, close relationships in Japan between manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers which once helped to protect them from imports. Survivors will include those who innovate and capitalise on information technologies. Those who succeed will increasingly need to invest abroad or outsource production, to exploit more efficient distribution systems, and to respond quickly to new demands from consumers for value for money.
Foreign brands are still in demand in Japan. But the opportunities for products at the top of the market have fallen since the heydays of the 1980s. Japanese consumers still demand high quality, but at competitive prices. Also, foreign suppliers may need to adapt their products to suit the special requirements of the Japanese market. Foreign firms are advised to establish joint ventures with Japanese companies who are able to provide the necessary expertise and know-how in what is an extremely difficult and competitive market
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| Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries – and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues. | |
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| Reports in Textile Outlook International include: | |
 | country profiles – providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future. |
| | company profiles – giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations. |
| | trends in world textile and apparel trade and production – taking into account current issues facing the industry – such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more. |
| | trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing – providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories. |
| | innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets. |
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| So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing – in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing – or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry. | |
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| Textile Outlook International is available on subscription – either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert. | |
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