The seasonally-adjusted US producer price index (PPI) for final demand increased by 0.5 per cent in January this year, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS).

Unadjusted, it rose by 2.9 per cent for the 12 months ended January 2026.

Prices for final demand goods declined by 0.3 per cent, the largest decrease since falling 0.7 per cent in March 2025.

The seasonally-adjusted US producer price index (PPI) for final demand rose by 0.5 per cent in January.
Unadjusted, it rose by 2.9 per cent for the 12 months ended January 2026.
Prices for final demand goods declined by 0.3 per cent, the largest decrease since falling 0.7 per cent in March 2025.
Leading the January decline, the index for final demand energy dropped by 2.7 per cent.

Leading the January decline, the index for final demand energy dropped by 2.7 per cent.

The index for final demand less food, energy and trade services moved up by 0.3 per cent in January, the ninth consecutive increase. For the 12 months ended in January, such prices rose by 3.4 per cent, a BLS release said.

The index for final demand goods less food and energy advanced by 0.7 per cent in the month.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has maintained a neutral sector outlook and a stable rating outlook for India’s apparel retail sector for fiscal 2026-27 (FY27).

Ind-Ra expects sector revenues to grow around 9 per cent year on year (YoY) in FY26 and 10.5 per cent YoY in FY27 following uneven and subdued growth through FY24 and early FY25; the growth in FY25 was 8 per cent YoY.

Ind-Ra expects India’s apparel retail sector revenues to grow around 9 per cent YoY in FY26 and 10.5 per cent YoY in FY27 following uneven and subdued growth through FY24 and early FY25.
Premium, branded and ethnic players are expected to see steadier, high single-digit growth trends.
Ind-Ra feels value retailers will outperform other segments within apparel, with robust revenue growth.

Ind-Ra feels value retailers will outperform other segments within apparel, with robust revenue growth through healthy same store sales growth and rapid store additions, albeit at a lower profitability.

Healthy growth in operating profit coupled with strong inventory turns is expected to result in value retailers demonstrating stronger-than-industry return indicators and credit metrics.

Premium, branded and ethnic players are expected to see steadier, high single-digit growth trends as consumer confidence rebuilds with a better spread out wedding calendar than in FY26 and early signs of normalisation seen in the first nine months of FY26.

Listed apparel retail players from Ind-Ra’s sample set reported revenue growth of around 10 per cent YoY in these nine months as the government’s consumption push through lower taxation and mild inflation resulted in higher disposable income and improved affordability.

The operating profit margins also improved to 15.6 per cent in the nine months compared to 15.2 per cent in FY25 due to various cost optimisation measures adopted by companies.

Organised retailers are pivoting from aggressive expansion to productivity-led growth. After elevated store additions in FY24-FY25, Indian apparel retailers are moderating store roll-outs, sharpening site selection, right-sizing formats and targeting faster ramp-ups of recent openings, with omni-channel execution and scalable franchise models enhancing reach and capital efficiency, Ins-Ra said in a press note.

It expects store additions to ease to nearly 7 per cent YoY in FY26 and 6 per cent YoY in FY27, even as retail area continues to rise by 9 per cent YoY in FY26 and by 9.5 per cent YoY in FY27, reflecting larger average store sizes and assortments designed to lift footfalls, average transaction values and sales per square foot.

Value and luxury segments are set to lead sector performance. Value formats benefit from GST rationalisation at lower price points, improved affordability, and rising private-label penetration, while luxury gains from a widening affluent base and deeper global-brand access.

Fast fashion continues to capture Gen-Z-led, content-driven demand. Casual and athleisure remain ahead of ethnic-casual and formal wear, in line with comfort- and lifestyle-led dressing trends. 

Ind-Ra expects profitability to improve gradually as cost optimisation, better sourcing/mix, disciplined advertising and marketing promotions, and operating leverage offset residual pressures from expansion and fixed costs.

The working capital cycle for value retailers is likely to improve YoY in FY27, due to higher inventory turns and improved store level operating metrics.

Overall, as the consumption upturn broadens and retailers prioritise productivity over pace, Ind-Ra expects a stable, sustainable improvement in revenues and operating metrics for organised apparel retailers over FY26–FY27. 

The luxury segment is also expected to benefit from an increase in target customer segment through widening affluent base and deeper global-brand access. 

Mid-premium and several incumbent retailers witnessed slower growth in FY25, due to entry price mix-shifts and loss of market share to value retailers. This, coupled with investments in store format revamps, has stressed their margin profiles. Profitability pressures and a dip in inventory turns have slightly weakened credit metrics for segment players. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Prime Minister Mark Carney recently said Canada is negotiating a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with India to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. It is expected to be signed by end of the year.

He was addressing the Canada-India Forum in Mumbai. He is on a four-day visit to India.

“This is an enormous opportunity for both our countries.. but it is one that is about to move to the next level. We should aim much higher, and we are aiming much higher, and to be more strategic in our partnership. And that’s why, immediately after my election last year, our government set out to renew our relationship with India,” he was cited as saying by Indian media outlets.

PM Mark Carney during the Canada-India Forum in Mumbai said Canada is negotiating a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.
It is expected to be signed by 2026 end.
Canada could also be India’s strategic partner in critical minerals and metals for the latter’s manufacturing, clean tech and nuclear industries, he noted.

As the visit’s focus is on core areas where both sides can work together to create more sovereignty, choice and prosperity, food and energy are the natural first choices, given Canada’s position as a food and energy superpower, Carney said.

It also extends to nuclear co-operation, from being the most reliable long-term supplier of uranium to building large-scale and small modular reactors, he said.

“We could also be India’s strategic partner in critical minerals and metals for your manufacturing, for your clean tech, and for your nuclear industries. And in the other respect, India can help us to double our grid with clean power by 2040,” he added.

India’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economy aligns well with Canada’s mission to develop and commercialise those technologies to deepen its defence innovation, Carney asserted.

In a separate set of agreements, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar also exchanged several memoranda of understanding covering critical mineral cooperation, promotion of renewable energy use and cultural cooperation.

After India, Carney is scheduled to continue his tour with stops in Australia and Japan, according to the official itinerary released by his government.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)