Vietnam’s economy expanded by 7.83 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) of this year compared to 7.07 per cent during the corresponding quarter last year, as strong consumer demand and resilient manufacturing underpinned growth despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

NSO director Nguyen Thi Huong told a press conference that the solid start offers a foundation to achieve full-year growth target even as global uncertainties loom.

Vietnam’s economy expanded by 7.83 per cent in Q1 2026 compared to 7.07 per cent in Q1 2025, as strong consumer demand and resilient manufacturing underpinned growth despite mounting global uncertainties.
Growth was broad-based across all major sectors.
Foreign trade activity picked up sharply.
Growth pressures could intensify in Q2 as the Middle East conflict drives up oil prices and input costs.

Growth was broad-based across all major sectors. The industry and construction sector grew by 8.92 per cent year on year (YoY), contributing 44.08 per cent to overall expansion, with processing and manufacturing continuing to act as the main engine after posting 9.73 per cent growth.

Foreign trade activity picked up sharply, with exports of goods and services rising by 19.85 per cent YoY and imports rising by 24.27 per cent YoY, reflecting stronger demand for raw materials, a domestic media outlet reported.

NSO, however, cautioned that growth pressures could intensify in the second quarter as the Middle East conflict drives up oil prices and input costs, increasing risks to supply chains and production.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Allbirds, Inc announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with American Exchange Group (‘AXNY’), a leader in accessories design, licensing and manufacturing, under which AXNY will acquire all of the intellectual property and certain other assets and liabilities of Allbirds for an estimated transaction value of $39 million (the ‘Asset Sale’), subject to purchase price adjustments to be finalised upon closing.

The Asset Sale was negotiated by a special committee of independent directors, received unanimous approval by Allbirds’ Board of Directors, and is subject to approval by Allbirds’ common stockholders.

Allbirds has entered a definitive agreement to sell its intellectual property and select assets to American Exchange Group for an estimated $39 million, subject to shareholder approval.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which the company plans to dissolve and distribute remaining net proceeds to shareholders in the third quarter, following wind-down costs.

A proxy statement describing the transaction and seeking stockholder approval of the Asset Sale and subsequent dissolution and winding down of the Company (the ‘Dissolution’), is expected to be filed no later than April 24, 2026.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 and a distribution to stockholders of net proceeds, taking into account wind-down expenses, is anticipated to be made in the third quarter of 2026.

Joe Vernachio, CEO of Allbirds, stated, “We are incredibly thankful to our teams for the work they have been doing to fuel our product engine, build awareness of Allbirds and deliver an engaging customer experience. Over the past decade, Allbirds has evolved into a lifestyle footwear brand known for modern design, innovative materials and unparalleled comfort. This next chapter with AXNY builds on the foundational work already completed and sets up the brand to thrive in the years ahead.”

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)

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) recently launched a new version of its principles and criteria (P&C), marking the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

P&C v.3.2, which came into effect on April 1, follows an independent assessment of BCI’s standard against recognised regenerative programmes and industry-wide consultations to ensure alignment on the proposed changes.

“Our P&C is a living resource routinely updated to remain relevant and reflective of farmer realities. As climate change threatens farming communities, we have gone further to strengthen their focus on continuous improvement in relation to the principles of regenerative agriculture throughout our field-level standard,” Jannis Bellinghausen, BCI’s senior director of standards system integrity, said in a release from the organisation.

Better Cotton Initiative has launched a new version of its principles and criteria (P&C), marking the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.
P&C v.3.2, which came into effect on April 1, follows an independent assessment of BCI’s standard against recognised regenerative programmes and industry-wide consultations to ensure alignment on the proposed changes.

BCI’s P&C already covered soil health, biodiversity and natural habitats, water, pesticides and fertilisers use, and, where relevant, livestock. All these areas remain central to the standard.

The updated P&C strengthens the existing requirement of farmers to demonstrate continuous improvement by ensuring they place greater focus on regenerative agriculture when setting targets and annual activities.

Further updates to the field-level standard were made to the P&C’s management, natural resources, crop protection and decent work sections to enhance clarity and auditability.

In June 2025, BCI announced that it would transition to become a regenerative standards system at its conference in Izmir, Turkiye.

BCI head offices are in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)