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ASEAN cuts 2025 growth outlook to 4.5% amid uneven momentum

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ASEAN cuts 2025 growth outlook to 4.5% amid uneven momentum



ASEAN’s economic growth projection for 2025 has been revised downwards to 4.5 per cent from the earlier estimate of 4.7 per cent, while inflation is expected to moderate from 3 per cent to 2.4 per cent in 2025 before edging up to 2.8 per cent in 2026, according to the ASEAN Economic Integration Brief.

Vietnam remains the fastest-growing major economy, with growth forecast at 7.4 per cent in 2025, while Indonesia is expected to maintain steady growth around 5-5.1 per cent. Cambodia and the Philippines are expected to post resilient growth near 5 per cent, while Thailand and Singapore face slower momentum.

For 2026, ASEAN’s GDP growth is projected at 4.4 per cent. Vietnam is forecast to grow at a solid 6.4 per cent, while Indonesia is expected to maintain stable growth at 5.1 per cent. The Philippines is projected to expand by 5.3 per cent, Cambodia by 5 per cent, and Malaysia by 4.3 per cent. Thailand and Singapore are expected to see slower growth of 1.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively. Inflation pressures are projected to remain elevated in Laos and Myanmar, though easing compared with 2025.

ASEAN’s 2025 growth forecast has been lowered to 4.5 per cent as global uncertainty persists, with inflation easing before rising slightly in 2026.
Vietnam leads regional growth.
Trade momentum is slowing after front-loading effects fade, but strong FDI inflows and deeper regional integration continue to support ASEAN’s medium-term economic outlook.

ASEAN’s merchandise trade showed strong momentum in 2024, expanding 8.8 per cent to reach $3.8 trillion, driven by sustained demand from major trading partners, particularly China and the United States. In the first half of 2025, merchandise trade surged 17.4 per cent due to export front-loading ahead of tariff hikes. However, trade prospects for the second half of 2025 and early 2026 are expected to weaken as these one-off effects taper off and external vulnerabilities intensify, as per the brief.

Foreign direct investment trends remain a bright spot for the region. While global FDI rose modestly by 3.7 per cent in 2024—largely influenced by volatile financial conduit flows—ASEAN recorded a stronger 8.7 per cent increase in inflows to $230.8 billion. Key recipients included Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the first half of 2025, ASEAN’s FDI inflows rose a further 12.7 per cent, contrasting with a 3 per cent decline in global FDI, signalling sustained investor confidence in the region.

Looking ahead, ASEAN continues to be viewed as an attractive investment destination, with 60 per cent of firms surveyed by Boston Consulting Group indicating plans to invest in the region within the next 12 months. To sustain this momentum, ASEAN is strengthening credibility, capability, and compliance through deeper regional integration.

The ongoing implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement, the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement, and the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement is expected to enhance transparency, resilience, and competitiveness, reinforcing ASEAN’s position as a single market and integrated production base, the brief added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)



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Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

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Rieter responds to higher raw material prices




Rising global political and economic tensions have driven sustained increases in raw material and energy costs, impacting the textile machinery sector.
Rieter has faced mounting input expenses amid strong demand and price hikes for various materials.
The company has so far absorbed the additional costs but will implement price adjustments from March 2026 as pressures persist.



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US company Brooks Running’s revenue up 16% in 2025

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US company Brooks Running’s revenue up 16% in 2025



American sports equipment company Brooks Running closed 2025 with record-breaking global revenue, achieving a 16 per cent increase year-over-year and extending its track record to nine consecutive years of growth. Regional performance remained strong with 13 per cent growth in North America (NA), 22 per cent in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and 66 per cent in Asia Pacific and Latin America (APLA) where China sales increased 245 per cent. These results contribute to a 14 per cent compound annual growth rate over a nearly 25-year growth period, reflecting Brooks’ disciplined focus on performance innovation for runners since 2001.

“Running continues to gain extraordinary momentum around the world as more people choose movement as part of their approach to health and wellness,” said Dan Sheridan, Brooks CEO. “Our opportunity ahead is incredibly exciting and I have great confidence in the entire Brooks global team. Following a record 2025, we enter 2026 energised by the innovations and programmes we’ll deliver to runners and retailers worldwide.”

Brooks Running closed 2025 with record global revenue, up 16 per cent year-over-year, marking its ninth straight year of growth.
Strong gains came from North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific–Latin America, led by a surge in China.
Growth was driven by performance innovation, strong footwear sales, and new lifestyle collections and collaborations.

In EMEA in 2025, the performance running footwear market grew 14 per cent in France and 21 per cent in Germany with Brooks outpacing both 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, the company said in a press release.

In 2025, ten Brooks footwear styles posted year-over-year revenue growth of 20 per cent or more. The Glycerin series, featuring Brooks’ new DNA Tuned midsole foam, delivered 33 per cent revenue growth and a 27 per cent increase in unit sales year over year, accelerated by a 46 per cent year-over-year revenue surge in Q4.

At Paris Fashion Week in January 2025, Brooks unveiled its new lifestyle footwear collection, which celebrates the brand’s 112-year heritage as a leader in sport and answers customer desire for performance-inspired silhouettes to wear on and off the run. Brooks partnered with streetwear pioneers and visionaries to launch multiple sought-after collaborations including the Brooks x STAPLE Adrenaline GTS 4 with New York-based Jeff Staple and the Brooks x RSVP Gallery Caldera 8 with the renowned Don C.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)



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UK’s M&S doubles down on denim with Spring 26 campaign

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UK’s M&S doubles down on denim with Spring 26 campaign



M&S is doubling down on its market lead in women’s denim and momentum in men’s denim with a dedicated campaign to launch its Spring 26 collections. 

M&S enters 2026 holding the leading position in women’s denim and a growing market share in men’s denim as more customers turn to M&S for style, quality and accessible price points. 

M&S is strengthening its dominance in women’s denim and building momentum in men’s with its Spring 26 campaign.
Holding an 18.2 per cent share in women’s denim, it is expanding trend-led fits, reducing legacy lines by 40 per cent, and introducing modern silhouettes with broader sizing.
Updated men’s smart-casual shapes and wider washes aim to attract younger shoppers and drive higher volumes.

With the denim market in growth – +7.9% vs LY (WW), +6.1% vs LY (MW) – M&S is well placed to accelerate its leadership in one of its key growth categories.

A confident women’s proposition

The Spring 26 womenswear offer reflects M&S’s category strength in fit and breadth. Already the UK’s leading retailer in women’s denim, with a market share of 18.2%, M&S is doubling down on trend led newness while refreshing customer favourites to drive volume.

Over the past year, M&S has reduced legacy lines by 40%, enabling the business to pivot into faster moving, trend aligned fits. The introduction of new fashion led silhouettes – alongside a new pricing architecture where 40% of the SS26 range sits at £30 ($40.92) or under – will sharpen value and style perception further. 

New silhouettes include the High Waisted Patch Pocket Flare, sitting alongside updated customer favourites, such as the Barrel – including the new High Waisted Crease Front Barrel Leg, High Waisted Turnup Wide Leg and Lyocell Blend Wide Palazzo fits. Wide Leg and Barrel fits now account for 65% of total womenswear denim sales. M&S has sold 105,000 pairs of Barrel Leg Jeans since first introducing the shape in March 2025.

With sizes 6–24 and across up to five different leg lengths, the offer maintains M&S’ position as a destination for inclusive and reliable denim. The breadth of trend-aligned shapes and sizing mix is playing a key role in attracting a younger shopper – sales among the 35–54-year-old customer have increased by +9.5%, with M&S outgrowing the wider denim market. 

Maddy Evans, Director – M&S Woman, said: “We’re building on our market share leadership in women’s denim with new refreshed shapes that are modern, versatile and stylish. This season, we’ve strengthened our offer around the fits our customers are loving most, from new takes on Wide Leg to updated Barrel silhouettes. With 65% of sales now driven by these modern shapes, and 40% of our SS26 range coming in at £30 or under, we are continuing to stay ahead by staying close to our customers and what they want – modern fits and a consistent focus on value, quality and style. ” 

Momentum building in men’s denim 

In menswear, M&S is sharpening its style credentials with a modernised proposition. The Spring collection introduces straighter and more tailored shapes, complemented by a wider wash palette ranging from deep indigo to soft ecru. These updates reflect a category-wide shift towards smart casualwear.

With a 12.1% share of the men’s denim market, M&S aims to further strengthen its relevance among younger male shoppers who are seeking style, dependable quality and great value. The introduction of a new £20 price point broadens entry-level accessibility while the £60 Autograph Selvedge Denim range gives customers access to premium craftsmanship at a market-leading price point. 

Mitch Hughes, Director of Menswear at M&S, said: ‘Denim at M&S Man continues to gain momentum, and this season we’ve sharpened the offer with more modern, tailored shapes and clearer price points, including our new £20 ($27.28) tier, through to £60 Autograph Japanese Selvedge”

“Combined with an expanded wash palette including overshirts and an array of new denim fits our latest collection – backed by a bold campaign – positions M&S as a stronger, more relevant choice to help broaden our customer base.’

Kidswear denim: durable, great value and backed by the Kidswear Guarantee

The Spring 26 kidswear denim range has been designed to offer reliable, everyday value for families, supported by M&S’s One Year Kidswear Guarantee. The collection includes essential fits as well as style-led shapes, including carpenter and barrelleg complemented by relaxed denim shirts, with prices starting from £10. Each product has been designed for durability, comfort and repeat wear, incorporating practical ‘grow with me’ design details such as reinforced seams and adjustable waists.

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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