Apparel

HanesBrands Inc. on November 29 announced that it will use its strong cash position to reduce long-term debt this year by another $250 million and reduce interest expense in 2013 by prepaying half of its $500 million of 8 percent senior notes, due 2016, a year earlier than originally anticipated.

The University of Washington has severed a sports-apparel contract with Adidas after a nearly yearlong campaign by students, who say the company has violated the labor rights of overseas workers.

The contract with Adidas returned about $3,000 in royalties to the UW last year, said Kathy Hoggan, director of trademarks and licensing for the university. The licensing agreement allows the German multinational company to make sports apparel with the UW logo, which is sold in stores around campus.

Amid the ash, broken glass and melted sewing machines at what is left of the Tazreen Fashions Ltd. factory, there are piles of blue, red and off-white children's shorts bearing Wal-Mart's Faded Glory brand. Shorts from hip-hop star Sean Combs' ENYCE label lay on the floor, along with a hooded Mickey Mouse sweatshirt from Disney.

An Associated Press reporter searching the Bangladesh factory Wednesday found these and other clothes, including sweaters from the French company Teddy Smith and the Scottish company Edinburgh Woollen Mill, among the equipment charred in the fire that killed 112 workers on Saturday.

Sports fans have been idolizing their favorite athletes for years. While their dreams of becoming that player may never come to fruition, sometimes, the next best thing is to purchase that hoodie or jacket being worn on the sidelines by the players.

In his blog, Dave Sottile explores this phenomenon and shares his observations on the explosive sales of team-licensed apparel.

Focusing on work during the holidays can be tough, but it's necessary as the year comes to a close. Here's how to do it without losing your holiday spirit.

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of the The NPD Group, recently spoke to apparel and finance executives at the fifth annual Economic Crystal Ball.

According to Cohen, consumers have changed, calling it “a new era of consumption” or an “Era of More.” Instead of an excess supply of money, consumers are instead facing challenges that interfere with shopping. In response, he urged retailers to offer more to consumers.

A deadly factory fire that killed at least 111 textile workers was sabotage, Bangladesh authorities said Tuesday, as protesters took to the streets for a second day and garment factories across the world's second biggest clothes exporter stopped work to mourn the dead.

The country's worst-ever industrial blaze broke out on Saturday and consumed the multi-story Tazreen Fashions factory building. More than 150 workers were injured.

The interior minister, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, said according to a preliminary inquiry, the fire was the result of arson.

He promised to bring the culprits to justice.

Ontario-based apparel supplier Ash City on November 19 announced that Chris Sorichetti has joined the organization as manager, creative content and catalog development. This role at Ash City includes development of all print, digital and video content and collateral.

At least 124 people were killed in a fire at a Bangladeshi garment factory in the latest industrial accident to raise concerns about the safety of workers who make clothing for companies such as Li & Fung Ltd.

“Rescue operations are still ongoing and the number of the dead may climb,” Habibur Rahman, superintendent of police for Dhaka, told reporters yesterday on the scene at the industrial belt of Ashulia, on the outskirts of Bangladesh’s capital. The government has no updated death toll today.

The products missing at the Philadelphia Marathon and how you can fill the promotional gaps next year.