Hyosung Corporation (Korea), the world's largest spandex producer and owner of the creora brand, has announced the appointment of a new Global Marketing Director for Textiles Performance Unit to drive Hyosung’s “commitment to excellence” in the textile industry.Mike Simko, Global Marketing Director, will lead the Hyosung’s global marketing of creora spandex, MIPAN nylon and specialty polyester fibers to deliver innovation and superior brand and retail collaborative se...

U.S. retail sales rose modestly in October as consumers increased purchases of motor vehicles, sporting goods and a range of other goods, the Commerce Department reported.Retail sales rose 0.2 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted $486.6 billion in October, following a revised 1.9 percent gain in September, the Commerce Department said. Year on year, total retail sales rose 4.6 percent last month.The U.S. economy is expected to expand at 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter, foll...

J. Crew continues to miss the mark with consumers, while sister brand Madewell has found a retail sweet spot with trendy, young shoppers.Third Quarter highlights: Total revenues decreased 5% to $566.7 million. Comparable company sales decreased 9% following a decrease of 8% in the third quarter last year. J.Crew sales decreased 12% to $430.4 million. J.Crew comparable sales decreased 12% following a decrease of 9% in the third quarter last year. Madewell sales increased 22% to $107.5 million. ...

The U.S. is running out of cotton, again.  Likely, a few of you are thinking my medication has gotten the best of me.  The November USDA world supply demand report estimated U.S. carryover would balloon to 6.1 million bales.  I did not protest much, but really felt carryover would be much closer to 5 million.  Yet, now just two weeks later, and reviewing current sales, coupled the world production scenario and the booming world demand, it is evident that the U.S. will sell mo...

While the U.S. crop was judged higher, as was U.S. carryover, the more important decline in world stocks led the market higher. Thus, as expected, the long held five cent trading range 65-70 (+/-) cents will continue, most likely into the December supply demand report on December 12, 2017. Further, there is presently little reason to expect the very tight 67-70 cent range to be broken, other than such a narrow range is typically short lived.

The big BEAR crop in the U.S. and around the world just cannot push New York lower.  The trading range continues, but most of the activity is occurring in the upper end of the range, 67-70 cents.  Nevertheless, the 65 -70 cent +/- range has held forth for months.  The market has endured three hurricanes, an early freeze, a basket full of media reports of ending doom, and comments of weak economies around the world.  Yet, world cotton consumption just keeps growing and carryov...

Textile companies are finding it is increasingly costly to send technician from their headquarters to multiple countries around the world to solve production problems. However, the developing countries where most of today’s textiles and apparel is produced are desperately in need of more skilled technicians. Ideally, companies would like to hire local talent rather than recruiting from overseas, people who are comfortable working and living in the country – and will want to stay and grow with...

INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers, has agreed to sell its Apparel & Advanced Textiles business to Chinese textile giant, Shandong Ruyi. The deal is expected to be closed by mid-2018, the purchase price is undisclosed, according to INVISTA. The transaction includes:INVISTA’s portfolio of apparel-focused fibers and brands including LYCRA fiber, LYCRA HyFit fiber, COOLMAX fiber, THERMOLITE fiber and insulatio...

News of the Indian government’s plan to keep more of the country’s cotton in country for domestic use shot prices higher on Monday and the market was able to hold about half of that 250 plus point leap all week.  The news sent Indian prices higher and positioned the U.S. as the most competitive crop available on the world market, both ideas that sent the cotton bulls to the Board on a buying spree.  Open interest moved higher for the first time in several weeks and talk of ...

Cotton prices were on their heels all week defending the 67 cent area and settled the week at 66.88 cents.  This was the lowest settlement since August 16.  Merchants continued their attempts of forcing carry in the futures market and have all but succeeded.  The nearby March futures contract is only 11 points below the spot December.  The export sales report appeared to be distorted. With harvest lows now being established at mid October, the door has opened for a challenge ...