The investigations under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 will determine whether their acts, policies and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce.

The 15 other economies are China, the European Union (EU), Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico and Japan.  

USTR Jamieson Greer yesterday announced new trade investigations into 16 economies, including India.
The probes relate to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.
The 15 other economies are China, the EU, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico and Japan.

“The United States will no longer sacrifice its industrial base to other countries that may be exporting their problems with excess capacity and production to us. Today’s investigations underscore President Trump’s commitment to reshore critical supply chains and create good-paying jobs for American workers across our manufacturing sectors,” said Greer in a USTR press release.

“The Trump Administration’s reindustrialization efforts continue to face significant challenges due to foreign economies’ structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. Across numerous sectors, many U.S. trading partners are producing more goods than they can consume domestically,” he noted.

“This overproduction displaces existing US domestic production or prevents investment and expansion in US manufacturing production that otherwise would have been brought online. In many sectors, the United States has lost substantial domestic production capacity or has fallen worryingly behind foreign competitors,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) Chairman Ashwin Chandran said, “While CITI awaits more clarity on this recent US development, it adds further uncertainty to the textiles and apparel sector, which is already under significant stress due to the turbulent developments in West Asia and the lack of a clear picture of how the US tariff situation will unfold. However, CITI remains hopeful that the Indian government will do all it can to safeguard the interests of the textiles and apparel sector, one of the country’s major exporters and the nation’s second-biggest employer.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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 53^rd 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 53^rd 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)