Looking back at 2023, we saw a mix of exciting wins and unique challenges for apparel brands worldwide. Black Friday brought a nearly historical peak, with supply chain executives, “100% ecstatic with the results.” But beneath the surface of the retail rejoice, we saw a string of difficulties facing the global shipping industry — particularly concerning the Panama Canal. 

As a voting member of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Charming Trim stands in full support of the Association adding per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to the most recent edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL). 

With an increasing number of consumers willing to spend more for products they believe to be more sustainable, it can be tempting to focus your marketing and messaging efforts on the most eco-friendly aspects of your products. 

Unfortunately, that is often the first step onto the slippery slope of greenwashing: making unsubstantiated claims that can mislead consumers into believing that a company’s products are more environmentally friendly than they really are. 

We had the distinct pleasure of hosting a Q&A with Kathleen Talbot, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Operations at Reformation to pick her brain about one of our favorite topics: sustainability in the apparel industry.

It’s no surprise the fashion industry is responsible for a significant portion of annual greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it’s overwhelming when you consider that retail accounts for nearly 25% of the global GHG emissions. And to be clear: when the Charming team first published this article in 2022, that number was 8%.

CHARMING is very pleased to announce that we are further expanding our manufacturing presence in Mexico and Central America. Our customers have told us that they need to be closer to the needle to help them with response time, and freight, and we have listened.  Last year we established Charming Guatemala in Guatemala City, and this past month we took possession of our brand new factory building on July 15, 2022.

While 2020 and 2021 were certainly years of unknowns, one thing is certain: online shopping is here to stay. In 2021, over 46% of consumers reported feeling uncomfortable shopping in-person — and the share of online shoppers has only increased since then. As of this year, 41% of Americans shop online each week. 

Original publishing date: December 14, 2021

Republished date: November 12, 2024

Conventional thinking says brand-building is led by advertising, marketing, and visual presentation. But we know that consumers have a host of expectations that live beyond those characteristics. That means the days of leaving brand perception to your marketing department are over.

The fashion industry was hit hard by COVID-19 when the demand for garments worldwide plummeted. Accessories and all other “non-essential” items were either left to collect dust in the back of the closet or became casualties of shopping cart abandonment. 

In a pre-pandemic world, QR codes were long forgotten. After nearly vanishing into obscurity, the QR code is back — and not just on restaurant tables. QR codes are making waves in the retail space, providing opportunities to learn about brands, find coupons, and make payments.