Fashion
China’s retailers extend Singles’ Day to five weeks to revive spending

By
Reuters
Published
October 16, 2025
Chinese retailers are stretching their annual “Singles’ Day” sales bonanza to as long as five weeks this year, as the likes of Alibaba and JD.com try to drum up interest from shoppers in a struggling economy.
Weak consumption has dogged the world’s second-largest economy this year as policymakers grapple with U.S. President Donald Trump‘s trade policies, fierce domestic competition, extreme weather and a lingering property crisis.
At a launch event in Shanghai on Thursday, Alibaba touted an “unprecedented” investment in the industry’s biggest sales event of the year, including 50 billion yuan ($7 billion) of subsidies for its top spending 88VIP members.
Its sales period began on Wednesday evening and will run like the rest of the industry until November 11, the original Singles’ Day – named after the digits in the date.
According to Alibaba, 35 brands including Nike, L’Oreal and local firms Anta and Proya sold more than 100 million yuan of merchandise in the first hour of the sale.
As well as subsidies and coupons, Alibaba has embedded artificial intelligence tools into search and recommendation functions. The new AI-powered system is expected to lift click-through rates by about 10%.
Instant retail – one-hour delivery of online orders – is also a focus this year. Alibaba and JD.com have poured billions into subsidies to attract shoppers to rapid delivery channels, which have been growing faster than e-commerce overall.
JD.com launched its campaign on October 9, coinciding with China’s return to work after the eight-day Golden Week holiday, while ByteDance’s Douyin, the domestic sister app to TikTok, also began its promotions that day.
Spending during Golden Week fell to a three-year low even though travel increased — a worrying sign ahead of Singles’ Day promotions. And longer promotions this year may not persuade shoppers to spend more.
“It has been less exciting than ever,” said Deng Lei, a 49-year-old who runs a meditation studio in Beijing. “The only thing I’m looking for is a pair of comfortable sports shoes, but I haven’t spotted any I really like yet.”
At a press briefing on Tuesday, JD.com said it would list over 100,000 “hit” products at its lowest prices of the year and sell 50,000 pairs of thermal long johns at 2 yuan ($0.30) each, shipping included.
Jacob Cooke, co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, said products that help consumers “look good, feel good” – such as beauty brands, outerwear and packaged food and drink – are likely to outperform this year.
But home appliances, which boomed in 2024 amid government subsidies, are expected to decline. Nomura analysts forecast home appliance sales will fall 20% in the fourth quarter.
“Maybe people don’t buy that appliance this year, but they upgrade their phone,” Cooke said, citing new Apple models as likely to drive demand.
© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
Fashion
Zen Diamond announces partnership with Natural Diamond Council

Published
October 17, 2025
Diamond jewellery brand Zen Diamond has announced its partnership with the Natural Diamond Council with the aim of promoting both natural diamonds and responsible sourcing to boost consumer trust.
“At Zen Diamond, we’ve always believed that every diamond carries not just timeless beauty but also a responsibility- to our artisans, to communities, and to customers seeking trust,” said Zen Diamond India’s managing director Neil Sonawala in a press release. “This NDC partnership is more than a badge; it is a commitment to transparency, integrity, and sustainability. We are honoured to join the ranks of globally verified natural diamond brands, and this milestone will further guide our future innovations and client relationships.”
The partnership also highlights Zen Diamond’s commitment to authenticity and sustainability, according to the business, which counts over 450 stores globally. By offering its customers an independent assurance of authenticity, the business aims to bolster confidence and promote responsible luxury in the diamond industry.
“At Natural Diamond Council, our focus is on promoting facts, sustainable practices, transparency and authenticity of natural diamonds, while staying attuned to modern consumer preferences,” said the Natural Diamond Council’s managing director for India and the Middle East Richa Singh. “These shared values form the foundation of our partnership with Zen Diamond, whose responsible sourcing, ethical approach and international design sensibility resonate strongly with young, style-conscious audiences.”
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Fashion
The Textile Institute marks 100 years with a global expansion drive

One hundred years ago, in 1925, TI was granted its Royal Charter by King George V, transforming it from a professional association into a globally recognised chartered body, and in Singapore from October 28-31, is seeking to strengthen its international partnerships while welcoming new Corporate Members to its expanding global network.
The Textile Institute (TI) is celebrating its centenary with a global expansion drive at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore from October 28–31.
Exhibiting with BTMA, TI aims to boost corporate membership and international partnerships.
With sections in over 60 countries, TI continues advancing professional training, research and collaboration across sectors like technical textiles and mobility.
Shared growth
At Stand B105 in Hall 8, TI will exhibit as a reciprocal member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA), showcasing the power of collaboration and shared growth. The long-standing partnership between the two organisations has been further strengthened by the appointment of BTMA CEO Jason Kent as TI’s new Commercial Vice President, bringing fresh industry insight and influence to the role.
“Our joint presence in Singapore underlines how enduring partnerships strengthen the entire industry,” Kent says. “Corporate Membership of The Textile Institute gives organisations access to an international network of professionals, cutting-edge research and strategic benefits valued at over £10,000 a year.”
Advantages
Membership unlocks a host of advantages, including global promotion and visibility, invitations to high-level networking events and training, collaboration on industry-led research, professional recognition through chartered qualifications and access to TI’s publications, data and R&D resources.
“As the only global professional body in this sector with a Royal Charter, we are driving the industry forward through high-quality events and training courses that equip professionals for the future,” says TI CEO Stephanie Dick. “Together with our Corporate Members, we’re tackling skills gaps, developing practical training solutions and reaching international audiences.”
New industries
“This is an exciting time for the industry, especially with the major opportunities being opened up in new technical textiles for rising industries such as energy and data storage, future mobility and advanced infrastructure,” adds TI President Charles Wood. “Whether you’re a multinational manufacturer or a fast-growing SME, TI offers a neutral, not-for-profit platform where your voice is heard and your ambitions are supported. As we expand our influence across Asia and beyond, we’re inviting new Corporate Members to join us, benefit from our resources and help shape the Institute with their expertise.”
The Textile Institute is ideally positioned to help organisations stay competitive, connected and compliant. From its first foundation in Manchester in 1910, its approach has always been to be “not of Manchester, but international”, and with sections and special interest groups active across the globe, it now serves members in over 60 countries, empowering professionals across every link in the textile supply chain.
“We are looking forward to exploring new possibilities with as many forward-looking companies as possible at this year’s ITMA Asia + CITME,” concludes Jason Kent.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Fashion
Australia’s apparel imports dip 2% as textile imports edge higher

There was also a month-on-month (MoM) ease in apparel imports in August ****, down by * per cent to Au$*.*** billion compared to Au$*.*** billion in August ****. Analysts suggest that cooler consumer sentiment and a shift towards value-driven fashion purchases have led to softer import demand.
Conversely, imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles (classified under code **) rose by *.** per cent to Au$*** million (~$***.** million) during July–August ****, compared to Au$*** million in the same period of fiscal ****–**. The uptick indicates steady activity in Australia’s textile manufacturing and furnishing sectors. Fibre imports (classified under code **) inched up to Au$** million, from Au$** million during the same period.
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