Apparel

American Apparel Inc. celebrated its 15th anniversary on March 29, and State Assemblyman Gil Cedillo and Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, who each represent American Apparel's district, turned out for the ceremony at the vertical retailer's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.

"You created an example and a model," Cedillo said to a delegation of American Apparel workers gathered at the ceremony. "We can create a profitable business in the United States that makes products for China and Latin America." Cedillo applauded American Apparel for its acts of support for immigrants, who make up much of the company's work force.

U.S. cotton acreage will probably fall short of USDA's projected 13.15 million acres, but exports could be higher than projected on increases in world demand and continued stockpiling of cotton by the Chinese, according to analysts speaking at the Ag Market Network's March teleconference.

"A lot of things have happened since March 1," when the surveys for USDA's March 30 Prospective Plantings report were taken, said O.A. Cleveland, professor emeritus, Mississippi State University.

This includes more U.S. cotton producers shifting to corn. "We've had very good moisture through the Southeast and Mid-South," Cleveland said.

Ennis Inc. announced Friday that the board of directors has increased the quarterly dividend to $0.175 per share from $0.155 per share, or an increase of 13 percent, and has set the record date for the annual shareholder meeting.

Wilcom International, Sydney, Australia, has released a service pack for all customers on the current version (e2) of DecoStudio e2 and EmbroideryStudio e2.

Editor's Picks has the cure for what ails your hospital promotions this week with doctor scrubs.

Colman and Company is launching a completely redesigned website and shopping cart at www.colmanandcompany.com later today.

What's new and stylish in the world of promotional tees and tanks.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world, announced a new member benefit that enables AAFA members to access a new sourcing tool.

AAFA members now have searchable access to a global directory of suppliers, known as iSupplier Intelligence, which provides enhanced insight into the identities, policies and processes of supplier partners, enabling buyers to improve business performance and reduce risk while preserving their brand reputations and increasing the potential for successful supplier relationships.

"Brands are dead," we've been told, and it feels like everyone's out searching for the smoking gun. Did the economy kill brands, or was it globalization? Maybe it's advertising fatigue?

We can muck around the crime scene all we want, but the simple truth is that brands are NOT dead. Nor are they "back." In fact, they never left. Not real brands, that is. What they are likely referring to on the death certificates are category placeholders: famous names that are interchangeable for other famous names. Everyone knows them, but not for anything much in particular.

Luxury retailers using gift-with-purchase promotions may not directly influence a consumer's purchase, but they can offer an extended shopping experience that can result in brand loyalty and give luxury brands an edge without offering discounts.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's are promoting existing product lines by offering a gift with purchase. Most brands are marketing these in-store and online offers with email blasts and social media.

"At the price points for many luxury goods, you come to expect a little something extra and that just makes the shopper feel special and cared for," said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing.