Fashion
Australia consumer sentiment rises 1.2% in March to 91.6
The latest reading indicates some resilience among consumers despite ongoing uncertainty, said Matthew Hassan, Westpac’s head of Australian macro-forecasting adding, “While consumers remain firmly pessimistic, sentiment continues to show some resilience.” The relatively muted reaction to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 25-basis-point rate hike in February helped sentiment edge slightly higher, he noted.
Australia’s consumer sentiment rose 1.2 per cent to 91.6 in March 2026, signalling modest improvement but continued pessimism.
It showed resilience despite the February rate hike, though concerns grew during the survey week amid Middle East tensions.
While perceptions of current finances and spending improved, expectations for the near-term economy and labour market weakened.
However, responses collected during the survey week indicate that sentiment weakened as the week progressed. According to Hassan, daily responses suggested growing unease linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, with responses from the final three days of the survey consistent with a significantly lower index reading of around 84, Westpac Institutional Bank said in a press release.
The detailed components of the survey revealed a mixed picture. Assessments of current financial conditions and attitudes towards major purchases improved compared with February, indicating slightly better perceptions of present circumstances. At the same time, expectations for the broader economy over the next year deteriorated, highlighting concerns about near-term economic prospects.
Consumers, however, appeared more optimistic about the longer-term outlook. The sub-index measuring expectations for the economy over the next five years improved modestly and remained above its historical average. In contrast, the measure tracking expectations for the economy over the next 12 months declined, reaching its lowest level since September 2024.
Interest rate expectations continue to shape consumer sentiment. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Mortgage Rate Expectations Index fell 3.9 per cent in March, reversing part of the sharp increase seen in February. Despite this easing, a strong majority of consumers still expect mortgage rates to rise further over the coming year.
Global developments are also influencing sentiment. The survey showed a sharp increase in consumer recall of international news, particularly related to the escalating Middle East conflict. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents who recalled such news assessed it as unfavourable, reflecting heightened concern about global instability and its potential economic impact.
Labour market expectations weakened as well. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Unemployment Expectations Index rose 3.8 per cent to 134.7, indicating that more consumers expect unemployment to increase in the year ahead. The rise was especially pronounced among respondents aged over 45, while younger consumers reported slightly improved expectations.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Retail activity remained the main driver of the expansion. Retail trade sales volume increased 18.8 per cent YoY in January, highlighting continued consumer demand despite broader economic volatility, TurkStat said in a press release.
Retail sales in Turkiye rose strongly in January 2026, driven by demand for textiles, clothing and footwear, according to TurkStat.
The trade sales volume index increased 7.6 per cent year on year, while retail trade sales volume surged 18.8 per cent.
Textiles, clothing and footwear grew 14.9 per cent annually.
On a monthly basis, trade sales rose 0.1 per cent and retail sales increased 2.4 per cent.
Sector-wise, retail trade excluding watches and jewellery recorded an 11.1 per cent annual increase, while the textiles, clothing and footwear segment grew 14.9 per cent YoY, reflecting sustained spending on apparel and related products.
On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, total trade sales volume edged up 0.1 per cent in January compared with December. Within the trade categories, wholesale trade declined 1.6 per cent.
Retail trade continued to expand on a monthly basis as well, with the retail sales volume index increasing 2.4 per cent MoM. Retail trade excluding watches and jewellery grew 0.8 per cent, while textiles, clothing and footwear sales increased 1.3 per cent over the previous month.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
In the fourth quarter, Wrangler brand’s global revenue was $562 million and increased 12 per cent compared to prior year. Lee brand’s global revenue was $198 million and grew 2 per cent compared to prior year. Helly Hansen’s global revenue was $254 million.
Kontoor Brands reported Q4 FY2025 revenue of $1.02 billion, up 46 per cent, largely driven by the Helly Hansen acquisition.
Excluding Helly Hansen and the 53rd week, revenue grew 2 per cent.
Wrangler revenue rose 12 per cent to $562 million, Lee grew 2 per cent to $198 million, and Helly Hansen added $254 million.
FY2025 revenue reached $3.15 billion (+21 per cent).
Gross margin increased 250 basis points to 46.2 per cent on a reported basis and increased 210 basis points to 46.8 per cent on an adjusted basis compared to prior year, including a 180 basis point benefit from the acquisition of Helly Hansen. Excluding Helly Hansen, adjusted gross margin increased 30 basis points driven by the benefits from Project Jeanius, and channel and product mix, partially offset by increased product costs and the impact from previously enacted increases in tariffs, net of pricing actions, the company said in a press release.
“We had a strong finish to the year driven by better-than-expected revenue, earnings and cash generation,” said Scott Baxter, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors. “2025 was a transformational year for Kontoor, highlighted by the acquisition of Helly Hansen, strong growth in Wrangler and disciplined execution.”
In 2025, revenue was $3.15 billion and increased 21 per cent compared to prior year, including an 18 percentage point benefit from the acquisition of Helly Hansen. Excluding the revenue contribution from Helly Hansen and the 53rd week, revenue increased 1 per cent.
“Our results highlight the strength and resiliency of our expanded brand portfolio as well as the impact from our transformation initiatives,” added Baxter. “Supported by record cash generation, including a $100 million contribution from Helly Hansen, we are ahead of our planned deleverage path, allowing us to capitalise on opportunistic share repurchases in the fourth quarter. I want to thank our colleagues around the globe for positioning us to deliver strong returns for our shareholders in the years ahead.”
For fiscal 2026, revenue is expected to be in the range of $3.40 to $3.45 billion, representing growth of approximately 9 per cent compared to prior year, including an approximate 2 per cent impact from the 53rd week in the prior year.
For the first half of 2026, revenue is expected to be in the range of $1.56 to $1.57 billion, reflecting growth of between 22 and 23 per cent compared to prior year, including the contribution from Helly Hansen.
“We are entering 2026 from a position of strength, with sharp strategic clarity and a relentless focus on execution,” said Baxter. “We have the team and platforms in place to drive another year of record revenue and earnings, cash generation, and investment behind our brands. The strength and resiliency of our model provides significant capital allocation optionality to deliver superior returns for our shareholders.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
With Thermore Ecodown Fibers T2T, Thermore marks a major leap forward, reinforcing its leadership and unwavering commitment to a more sustainable future. This innovative free fiber allows for the recovery of textile polyester waste and its transformation into warm, high-performance insulation. Made from 100% recycled polyester fibers, this clever blend is a combination of 80% post-industrial textile waste and 20% post-consumer PET bottles. Unlike the downcycling that typically characterizes textile recovery, Ecodown Fibers T2T stands apart by delivering the same high quality of other Thermore products. “I have personally coordinated the Thermore research group for years, and the theme of circularity and textile-to-textile has long been the subject of study by our team,” says Patrizio Siniscalchi, Managing Director of Thermore.
Thermore has launched Ecodown Fibers T2T, a free fibre insulation made from 100 per cent recycled polyester.
The blend uses 80 per cent post-industrial textile waste and 20 per cent post-consumer PET bottles, enabling textile-to-textile recovery.
The high-loft, soft insulation offers durable performance, versatility, and is GRS, Bluesign, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
“In fact, just as we pioneered the use of recycled fibers from PET bottles over 40 years ago, in recent years we have worked on the revaluation of textile waste. Ecodown Fibers T2T is already the second generation of padding we have produced using these important resources.” But sustainability is not the only strong point of this product. Ecodown Fibers T2T stands out for its high lofting and softness, guaranteeing optimal comfort. It’s also highly versatile and can be blown into baffles, placed inside panels, or applied by hand.
Its structure is engineered to stay stable over time minimizing clumping. Ecodown Fibers T2T is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, a standard that verifies the content of recycled materials and traceability along the production chain. It also holds Bluesign and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications, related to the control of chemical substances and compliance with rigorous criteria for product safety and health protection.
With this new product, Thermore once again wants to redefine the concept of responsible thermal insulation – no longer a simple technical element, but an integral part of a system where durability, performance, and resource efficiency become central design factors. Ecodown Fibers T2T represents an evolution for the world of fashion and sports, towards solutions where responsibility, performance, and style find a concrete balance.
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 (RM)
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