Fashion
Sep 2025 US logistics manager index falls to lowest since Mar
The rate of expansion was more pronounced later in September, reading in at 60.5 during the second half of September – which was up significantly from the reading of 55.9 early in the month. The drop can be largely attributed to slowdowns in the expansion of supply chain costs.
The US logistics manager’s index (LMI) for September was 57.4, down by 1.9 points from August’s 59.3.
This is the lowest reading for the overall index since March this year.
The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.
The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry: inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilisation and prices, and transportation capacity, utilisation and prices.
Taken together, the three cost/price metrics were down 11.9 points in September, reading in at 195.66. This is the slowest rate of cost expansion since March and the second lowest in 2025.
The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.
This is the first time a reading this low has been seen for transportation utilisation in September, which is generally a busy season in the freight market.
The slight negative freight inversion that began in August continued in September, with transportation prices dipping by 1.9 points to 54.2, which is just below 55.1 of transportation capacity (minus 2.2 points).
While transportation prices are still expanding, this is the lowest rate of growth tracked for this metric since April 2024, which was the last month of the most recent freight recession.
Inventory costs were high at 79.2.
Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University and the University of Nevada, Reno, and in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued the LMI report.
This slowdown is reflective of uncertainty in the overall economy, an official release said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
“Diesel is a magical brand, which I founded, and that has always represented a unique force in the fashion landscape. Glenn Martens’ creative direction has transformed it, rediscovering its most authentic DNA and making the brand fresher, more contemporary, and increasingly loved by younger generations. Today, Diesel can be considered the only alternative to the luxury world, embodying values such as inclusivity and accessibility—particularly significant in a complex moment for the entire fashion industry. Recently, I have closely followed the brand’s development with a team of managers, while we navigated a challenging market phase. I am delighted to welcome Andrea to Diesel, and, together with the team, I am sure that he will further enhance Diesel’s potential at a crucial stage in the brand’s evolution,” stated Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and Chairman of the OTB Group.
Diesel, part of the OTB Group, has named Andrea Rigogliosi as its new CEO, reporting to Group CEO Ubaldo Minelli.
Rigogliosi brings extensive international leadership experience from roles at Miu Miu (Prada Group), Fendi and Christian Dior Couture.
He is expected to strengthen Diesel’s global growth and commercial strategy under Glenn Martens’ creative direction.
Andrea Rigogliosi brings solid international leadership experience in the luxury, fashion, and retail sectors, having held high-level strategic and commercial roles across Europe. Before joining Diesel, he served as Global Head of Retail and Commercial at Miu Miu – Prada Group, leading global business growth and the expansion of the distribution network. Rigogliosi held key positions within the LVMH Group, including President Europe at Fendi, General Manager France & Monaco and General Manager Italy at Christian Dior Couture. Early in his career, he took on managerial roles at Poltrona Frau Group and L’Oréal Luxury Products.
He holds a degree in International Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan.
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)
Trade and industry secretary Cristina A Roque said foreign buyers told her automation is no longer optional, but has turned a baseline requirement globally.
The Philippines will provide ‘flexible financing’ to domestic garment manufacturers for automation, machinery and production equipment to make them more competitive in the global market.
Incentives under the DTI’s Board of Investments will support mechanised and digital garment production, while the Philippine Economic Zone Authority will offer a comprehensive package for export-oriented garment firms.
“They expressed a clear preference for exporters with modern, automated production equipment, as short lead time is now the deciding factor, especially for fast-fashion brands,” Roque was cited as telling a recent meeting with garments manufacturers by a domestic media outlet.
Therefore, the department will work with institutions like the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to provide flexible financing, she said.
Incentives under the DTI’s Board of Investments will support mechanised and digital garment production, while the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) incentives will offer a comprehensive package of fiscal and non-fiscal support for export-oriented garment firms located within PEZA special economic zones, she said.
The department will also study proposals by the domestic garment industry aimed at enhancing overall cost competitiveness, including potential reductions in value-added tax rates to levels comparable to those of ASEAN peers and expanded fiscal support for existing firms and subsidiaries.
Fibre2Fashion (DS)
“And right after Davos, the next weekend, I will travel to India. There is still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement,” she said, adding that “some call it the mother of all deals.”
EU-India talks are reaching a momentous phase, indicated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while addressing the World Economic Forum.
“And right after Davos, the next weekend, I will travel to India….we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement,” she said, adding that “some call it the mother of all deals.”
The FTA talks began in 2007, were abandoned in 2013 and restarted in 2022.
As the EU is committed to de-risking its economy and diversifying supply chains by deepening ties with the world’s major growth centres, she saw the planned India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) as part of Europe’s broader strategy to champion “fair trade over tariffs, partnership over isolation, sustainability over exploitation”.
The FTA would create a combined market of around two billion people and account for nearly a quarter of global gross domestic product (GDP), giving European companies a crucial first-mover advantage in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, she said.
“Europe wants to do business with the growth centres of today and the economic powerhouses of this century, from Latin America to the Indo-Pacific and far beyond,” she said.
A recent statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs said European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and von der Leyen will be on a state visit to India from January 25 to 27. The two will be the chief guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations. The European leaders will also co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit with Prime Minister Modi on January 27.
Negotiations for the planned FTA first began in 2007, and abandoned in 2013. Talks were re-launched in July 2022.
Fibre2Fashion (DS)
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