Global manufacturing lost some traction in November, with both output and new orders expanding at slower rates and employment slipping back into contraction. The JP Morgan Global Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dipped to 50.5 from October’s 50.9, its weakest level in the current four-month growth streak.

Although three of the five PMI components continued to reflect improving operating conditions, employment and stocks of purchases contracted. Production and new orders rose for the fourth straight month, supported by consumer and intermediate goods, but investment goods saw renewed declines.

Thailand, India, Vietnam, Colombia, Pakistan and the US led global output rankings. The euro area and the UK registered mild growth, Japan contracted, and China saw output stagnate. Export demand remained a drag: global new export orders fell for the eighth consecutive month, though at the slowest pace in the current downturn. Developed markets such as the US, Japan and the euro area saw declines, while emerging markets, including mainland China and India, recorded increases.

Global manufacturing growth softened in November as the PMI slipped to 50.5, reflecting slower gains in output and new orders and a return to job losses.
Consumer and intermediate goods drove expansion, but investment goods weakened.
Export demand continued to contract, while business sentiment improved slightly yet stayed below average.
Inflation pressures persisted, especially in developed markets.

Business confidence edged up to a five-month high but stayed below its long-run average for the twentieth consecutive month. Brazil, Colombia and Thailand were the most optimistic, with the UK and the US also ranking high. The new orders-to-inventory ratio reached an eight-month peak, signalling tentative resilience ahead.

Employment fell for the second time in three months, with job cuts in China, the euro area and the UK offset by gains in the US, Japan and India. Backlogs of work continued to shrink, marking forty-one straight months of decline. Inventory, purchasing activity and input stock indices all pointed to contractions.

Input costs and factory-gate prices rose again, with inflation pressures sharper in developed markets. Supply chains remained strained as average vendor delivery times lengthened for the eighteenth month running.

“The JP Morgan global manufacturing output PMI fell back 0.3-points to 51.2 in November, a level consistent with modest but resilient growth in global industry. In our forward-looking indicators, the future output PMI made a reassuring 1.4-point rebound after dropping in October, though this was tempered somewhat by a fall in the new orders index to a four-month low. By economy, output in the US and India are still expanding at solid rates, whereas the performances in China and the rest of the G-4 remain lacklustre in comparison,” Maia Crook, Global Economist at JP Morgan, said in a release.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)

The Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne, held from 18–20 November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, has wrapped up an exceptional edition that demonstrated strong international engagement, commercial opportunity and industry momentum. Over three dynamic days, the Expo welcomed over 5,000 visitors, marking an impressive 8% increase from 2024 and highlighting the growing relevance of the event within Australia’s sourcing, retail and manufacturing landscape.

Many attendees commented on the strength of connections and conversations facilitated at the event, with one visitor sharing, “The Global Sourcing Expo has opened up so many opportunities for my business and I’ve been able to connect with so many people face-to-face.” Feedback like this demonstrates the Expo’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful engagement and valuable trade outcomes.

Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne, held from November 18–20, drew over 5,000 visitors, reflecting its growing importance in Australia’s sourcing and manufacturing landscape.
With 800-plus exhibitors from 16 countries and a highly attended seminar programme, the event delivered strong commercial outcomes, international engagement and positive feedback.
The next edition will be held in Sydney in June 2026.

A Premier International Sourcing Showcase

Together with the co-located China Clothing Textile Accessories Expo, this year’s event featured 800+ exhibitors from more than 16 countries, showcasing cutting-edge products, manufacturing excellence and global sourcing capabilities across apparel, textiles, accessories, footwear, homewares and supply chain services. Visitors explored a diverse and innovative range of international suppliers, uncovering new partnerships and fresh opportunities across key global markets.

A Standout Global Sourcing Seminar Program

The Global Sourcing Seminar Program continued to be a major highlight of the Melbourne event, attracting large audiences and delivering compelling insights from industry leaders and subject-matter experts. This year’s seminars explored some of the most transformative topics shaping global sourcing today, including the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in sourcing and product development, the increasing importance of sustainability and responsible manufacturing, the fast-changing dynamics of eCommerce and digital retail, and the latest shifts in sourcing trends and global supply chain strategies.

Attendees praised the depth and relevance of the program, with one visitor noting, “The Seminar Sessions were so great to sit in on, and I loved hearing from people who have real-life experiences that we can learn from.” The strong engagement with the seminar program reinforced the Expo’s role as not just a sourcing event, but a hub for education, professional growth and forward-thinking industry insights.

Outstanding Exhibitor and Visitor Feedback

Exhibitors also expressed strong satisfaction with the buyer quality, organisation and business outcomes of the Expo. One exhibitor shared high praise, saying, “The Global Sourcing Expo Australia is the best in the world. I’ve been to Magic and major fashion fairs in London and Paris, but they’re nothing like this. The organisers, led by Julie and her team, have done a fantastic job, and I will definitely come back next year.” — Kenny, Hungfat Keme.

Such positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors affirms the Expo’s status as a premier platform for international trade, connection and long-term sourcing relationships.

Growth, Momentum and an Expanding Audience

The uplift in visitor attendance, the strength of exhibitor participation and the overwhelmingly positive testimonials highlight the Expo’s growing influence and the trust the industry continues to place on the event. With a blend of returning visitors and new attendees, the Global Sourcing Expo remains an essential destination for businesses seeking new global partnerships and insights into market evolution.

The Global Sourcing Expo Returns to Sydney in 2026

Planning is already underway for the next edition of the Global Sourcing Expo, returning to Sydney on 16–18 June 2026 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney.

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 (KD)