Fashion
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports up 9.8% in July 2025
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports have recorded steady growth in July 2025, rising by 9.84 per cent to $455.16 million compared with $414.38 million in July 2024. Exports to the EU (excluding the UK) posted the strongest gain of 26.69 per cent, while shipments to ‘Other’ markets grew by 24.24 per cent. The UK market saw only a marginal increase of 0.72 per cent, and exports to the US declined by 2.7 per cent during the month.
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports rose 9.84 per cent YoY in July 2025 to $455.16 million, driven by a 26.69 per cent surge to the EU and 24.24 per cent to ‘Other’ markets, though the US fell 2.7 per cent.
January–July exports grew 9.09 per cent to $2.92 billion, with gains across all key destinations.
JAAF said the performance reflects adaptability, urging trade support and value addition to sustain growth.
For the cumulative period of January to July 2025, total apparel exports reached $2,916.10 million, up 9.09 per cent from $2,673.19 million in the same period of 2024.
Growth was broad-based across markets, with exports to the EU (excluding the UK) rising by 18.2 per cent, to ‘Other’ markets by 11.02 per cent, to the UK by 5.65 per cent, and to the US by 2.91 per cent, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said in a release.
“The growth seen in July and over the first seven months of 2025 highlights the adaptability of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and its firm position in key markets such as the EU. This performance reflects manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to meet buyer expectations on speed, quality, and compliance. Sustaining momentum will require expanded trade opportunities, supportive policies, and a stronger focus on value addition across the supply chain,” a spokesperson for JAAF said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Published
August 29, 2025
Esprit is now operating primarily as a licensor. Still, management hopes its licensing business will begin generating stronger revenue going forward. Without that growth, the insolvent holding company—under which the brand’s wholesale and e-commerce operations in Europe, Hong Kong, and North America are grouped—may continue to struggle.
In the first six months of 2025, Esprit reported sales from continuing operations of approximately HKD 6.59 million (about €724,000), down 75% from HKD 26.1 million during the same period in 2024.
The decline is mainly attributed to the loss of license income from European trademark rights, which were derecognized in 2024 following insolvency proceedings for the group’s German subsidiaries. The company posted a net loss of HKD 20.8 million, compared to a profit of HKD 9.1 million in the same period last year.
Discontinued operations, however, resulted in a profit of HKD 22.1 million for the period, which contributed to a modest net profit of HKD 1.3 million attributable to shareholders. As of June 30, the holding company employed just 38 people, down from over 500 the year prior.
Despite these setbacks, management intends to continue operations and is shifting its focus toward an “asset-light,” license-driven brand strategy. The model aims to reduce the significant costs tied to procurement, distribution, and retail operations.
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Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Published
August 29, 2025
Groupe Rocher is continuing its strategy of refocusing on beauty and well-being with the restructuring of its Sabon brand, which it acquired in 2016.
On August 18 in Israel, Groupe Rocher signed an agreement transferring the franchise rights for Sabon’s online and retail operations—including its network of 22 stores—to the local Golf group for a period of five years. The deal, valued at 6.5 million shekels (€1.68 million), will, according to Groupe Rocher, “guarantee customers continued access to Sabon products.”
All 92 store employees will transition to the Golf group’s teams. Simultaneously, Groupe Rocher plans to close Sabon’s production site in Kiryat Gat and its logistics center by 2026, a move that could impact up to 180 employees. Production will be consolidated at the Group’s industrial facilities in Brittany, France, reinforcing their strategic role.
Founded in 1997 in Tel Aviv by Sigal Kotler-Levy and Avi Piatok, Sabon has grown into an international brand with 180 boutiques across 14 countries. Since its acquisition by Groupe Rocher—initially 70% in 2016 and fully in 2018—it has become part of a portfolio now being streamlined. The group sold Flormar in 2024 and has initiated the resale process for the Petit Bateau and Stanhome brands, focusing on its core beauty and well-being segment.
In 2024, Groupe Rocher reported sales of €2.2 billion, a 2.4% increase, including €1.1 billion generated by its flagship brand, Yves Rocher. Sabon’s restructuring aims to enhance its global performance, particularly in Asian markets, while reinforcing the value of French industrial expertise.
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Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
The hub is expected to create 10,000 direct jobs and position Lagos as the leather logistics capital in West Africa, according to a statement issued by Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on media and publicity to Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The facility will manufacture shoes, bags, belts, packaging bags and other leather products.
Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu recently inaugurated an industrial leather processing and manufacturing unit in Mushin, a trading suburb of Lagos state.
The hub is expected to create 10,000 direct jobs and position Lagos as the leather logistics capital in West Africa.
When fully operational, it is expected to generate more than $250 million annually in export turnover.
The hub would also provide solutions for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) struggling to meet bulk orders due to limited equipment and capacity, the statement said.
Tinubu said the hub aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ to accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts and manufacturing, according to domestic media reports.
Sanwo-Olu said the hub, when fully operational, is expected to generate more than $250 million annually in export turnover, while over 150,000 artisans would benefit from training and start-up support to boost productivity.
The governor vowed to expand the leather hub through continuous infrastructure upgrades, linking it to fashion districts, e-commerce platforms and rail services.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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