Fashion
UK’s Castore acquires Belstaff, Ineos invests in growth push
Castore and Belstaff will join forces to drive future growth across premium categories, capitalising on Castore’s direct-to-consumer and online retail networks and expertise, supply chain, growing global retail footprint and Castore’s roster of professional sports team partnerships.
Ashley Reed Chairman of Belstaff, said: “This is a union of two British brands who have come together through shared qualities of purpose-led design and entrepreneurial spirit. Castore is disrupting the sportswear market and has demonstrated phenomenal growth and resilience in recent years. Having witnessed their journey, we saw a unique opportunity to join forces and accelerate Belstaff’s transformation through shared knowledge and resources.”
Castore has acquired 100 per cent of British brand Belstaff from Ineos on a debt-free, cash-free basis.
As part of the deal, INEOS will make a strategic investment in Castore.
The partnership aims to accelerate growth by combining Castore’s digital retail, supply chain and sports partnerships with Belstaff’s heritage positioning, while strengthening both brands’ presence in premium categories.
Tom Beahon, Co-Founder and CEO of Castore, said: “Belstaff is a truly iconic brand with unparalleled heritage, and I have personally been a huge fan for a very long time. INEOS and the management team at Belstaff have done a phenomenal job in steering the company back to profitability following a challenging period for the retail sector. To have the opportunity to take Belstaff through the next stage of its growth journey is a dream come true and a huge privilege. We are also delighted that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS is investing in Castore which is a demonstration of commitment to our business and global growth ambitions and we look forward to working together to deliver on this vision.”
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)
Fashion
France abandons bid for the total suspension of Shein’s website
Published
December 5, 2025
On Friday, France demanded a series of measures from Shein to demonstrate that the products sold on its website comply with the law, but dropped its initial request for a total three-month suspension of the online platform, which had been based on the sale of child-like sex dolls and prohibited weapons.
At a hearing before the Paris court, a lawyer representing the state said that Shein must implement controls on its website, including age verification and filtering, to ensure that minors cannot access pornographic content. The state asked the court to impose a suspension of Shein’s marketplace until Shein has provided proof to Arcom, the French communications regulator, that these controls have been implemented.
Shein deactivated its marketplace- where third-party sellers offer their products- in France on November 5, after authorities discovered illegal items for sale, but its site selling Shein-branded clothing remains accessible. The state invoked Article 6.3 of France’s Digital Economy Act, which empowers judges to order measures to prevent or halt harm caused by online content.
“We don’t claim to be here to replace the European Commission,” the state’s lawyer said. “We are not here today to regulate; we are here to prevent harm, in the face of things that are unacceptable.” At the time of writing, the hearing is still ongoing.
In a statement issued last week, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said that a three-month suspension could be deemed “disproportionate” in light of European Court of Human Rights case law if Shein could prove that it had ceased all sales of illegal products. However, the public prosecutor’s office said it “fully supported” the government’s request that Shein provide evidence of the measures taken to stop such sales.
France’s decision comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Chinese giants such as Shein and Temu under the EU’s Digital Services Act, reflecting concerns about consumer safety, the sale of illegal products, and unfair competition. In the US, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Monday that he was investigating Shein to determine whether the fast-fashion retailer had violated state law relating to unethical labour practices and the sale of dangerous consumer products.
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Fashion
US brand Nike debuts ACG Zegama crafted for wild, technical terrain
Built for ultramarathons and long days in the mountains, the ACG Zegama is the most rugged model in the All Conditions running footwear lineup, offering runners a max cushioned ride that leaves no distance or terrain off limits.
Nike’s new ACG Zegama is a rugged, ultra-distance trail shoe built with exposed ZoomX foam for max cushioning, an accommodating fit, a Vibram Megagrip outsole, and added protection including a rock plate and adaptive gaiter.
Tested by elite All Conditions Racing athletes across extreme terrain, it delivers stability, responsiveness and all-day comfort for technical, long-distance runs.
“The ACG Zegama is designed, tested and engineered for max cushioning and comfort for the most rugged trail adventures,” says Brenden McAleese, Director, Nike ACG Footwear. “Thanks to feedback from athletes who push the limits, we’ve obsessed every detail to ensure the ACG Zegama can handle any distance. From the moment you lace up, the wider toe box and trail-tuned ZoomX foam are noticeable, helping you venture into wild, technical terrain in confidence.”
The latest evolution in the trusted Zegama lineage of trail running footwear positions exposed ZoomX foam directly below the foot, delivering a comfortable ride and 85 percent energy return. ZoomX, Nike’s lightest and most responsive midsole compound, also pairs with a bed of Cushlon 3.0 foam to offer runners an added sense of stability on uneven trails.
A Vibram Megagrip outsole with an improved lug pattern and strategic rubber coverage provides unparalleled traction in both dry and wet conditions, improves confidence and control on rugged terrain, and delivers long-lasting durability, meeting the rigors of every run head-on. A forefoot rock plate helps runners move across rocky trails, and a modified heel bump improves foot placement in technical terrain.
A new, trail-specific last provides a more accommodating fit by adding room in the forefoot and toe box. A stretchier, more adaptive gaiter helps keep out rocks and other trail debris. Padding in the tongue and heel offer more comfort over long distances, and a fit band drives additional midfoot support and consistent lockdown.
“The ACG Zegama has the same comfort and stability as its predecessor, which I already loved as a daily trainer, and adds more responsiveness that makes it really fun to race in,” says Caleb Olson, a member of the All Conditions Racing Department and winner of the 2025 Western States Endurance Run. “It’s a sturdy shoe that’s a great option for more technical races, when I’m moving through rocky terrain and need my feet to be comfortable and cushioned all day.”
Every aspect of the ACG Zegama was informed by feedback from the All Conditions Racing Department: 22 elite trail athletes from eight countries and five U.S. states who have put the silhouette through its paces in race-like environments around the world, covering 50 to 100 miles at a time. Many athletes tested the ACG Zegama for up to eight weeks, logging upward of 400 miles. Their feedback, combined with dynamic Nike ACG wear testing during development, helped designers fine-tune the silhouette to the exact demands of ultramarathons and the audacious athletes who run them.
“I first tried the ACG Zegama a few days before a major race on a ridiculously steep and rocky course,” says Tyler Green, All Conditions Racing Department athlete, two-time Western States runner-up and top 10 UTMB finisher. “It’s rare that I’d jump right into a new shoe so soon before a big race, but I made an exception for the ACG Zegama, and it was the right choice. The shoe feels excellent right out of the box; the traction is stellar; and, of course, it looks really good.”
The ACG Zegama draws on Nike ACG’s legacy, beginning in the 1980s, of creating footwear that’s light, fast and speaks trail fluently — delivering bold solutions matched only by the tenacity of the athlete who chooses wild.
The silhouette is also powered by Nike’s 50-year history as the biggest champion of runners and the running community, as well as the brand’s continued commitment to creating the most technologically advanced products to help runners across all disciplines reach their greatest potential. It joins an unparalleled lineup of trail-tuned offerings, road running footwear and racing innovations that serve the needs of all athletes, no matter where and how they choose to run.
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)
Fashion
ICE cotton dips to weekly low on weak US export sales
The more active March 2026 cotton futures settled at 64.08 cents per pound, down 0.38 cent. Earlier in the session, the contract touched its lowest level since November 26. This marked the fourth consecutive decline, totalling a loss of 63 points across the past four sessions. This slide followed a five-session rally in which the contract had gained 97 points.
ICE cotton futures fell to their lowest level in over a week as weak US export sales and broader market softness dampened sentiment.
March 2026 futures dropped to 64.08 cents, marking a four-session, 63-point decline.
USDA reported a sharp fall in weekly export sales, while equities were flat ahead of a likely Federal Reserve rate cut.
Traders now await the December USDA export and WASDE reports.
Daily trading volume reached 25,359 contracts, slightly below the previous day’s 26,902.
Analysts said weak equity performance and soft export sales kept cotton range-bound, with downside potential towards 63 cents.
US stock markets closed nearly flat as investors assessed labour market data and broader economic indicators. Expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut continued to strengthen, with CME FedWatch indicating an 87 per cent probability of a cut next week.
Stronger global economic conditions typically support the textile sector, boosting cotton demand and prices.
USDA export sales for the week ending October 30 showed net sales of 81,500 bales for the current season—down 39 per cent from the previous week and 51 per cent from the four-week average.
Market attention now turns to the next USDA export sales report on December 8, 2025, and the WASDE report on December 09, 2025, for further clarity on demand trends.
CBOT soybean futures closed higher on a technical rebound, while ICE-certified cotton stocks remained unchanged at 19,894 bales as of December 3, 2025.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), March 2026 ICE cotton traded at 64.10 cents per pound (up 0.02 cent). Cash cotton was at 62.08 cents (down 0.38 cent). The December 2025 contract traded at 62.28 cents (down 0.38 cent), the May 2026 at 65.19 cents (down 0.04 cent), the July 2026 at 66.24 cents (down 0.02 cent), and the October 2026 at 66.97 cents (down 0.10 cent). Several contracts remained unchanged, with no trades recorded so far today.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
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