ST. LOUIS — March 19, 2018 — According to a recent article by the St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis is on the leading edge of a national trend to re-shore apparel manufacturing jobs in the United States, attracting much-needed manufacturing investment and training skilled sewing talent.

“With the launch of the Fashion Fund a few years ago, the emphasis on the business of fashion and what St. Louis has to offer as a strong foundation, I expect to see our fashion industry grow and national awareness to intensify as we continue to expand,” said Kathleen Bibbins, the Saint Louis Fashion Fund’s new executive director.

Saint Louis Fashion Fund co-founder Susan Sherman said the fund’s incubator, ongoing search for a high-tech apparel manufacturing facility, and request for proposals to transform Washington Avenue and restore its garment district will re-ignite the fashion industry in St. Louis.

“We have a fashion ecosystem, it’s at least a multibillion-dollar industry and the St. Louis Fashion Fund is working hard to grow the industry right here in St. Louis,” said Sherman. “St. Louis is a win-win location for investors in apparel manufacturing: There are talented people that need jobs in St. Louis and salaries are competitive.”

According to a report issued by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, domestic apparel manufacturing is on the rise. Furthermore, drastic changes in overseas manufacturing centers like China and Turkey have upended the conventional wisdom that manufacturing is cheaper overseas.

“We’ve had designers from all over the country move their businesses to St. Louis, and what they need to continue to grow and thrive is skilled manufacturing close by,” said Sherman. “The demand is here to stay, now all we need is the supply.”

Posted March 19, 2018

Source: Saint Louis Fashion Fund

SAN FRANCISCO — March 19, 2018 — Gap Inc. today unveiled a new sustainable manufacturing goal to conserve a total of 10 billion liters of water by the end of 2020; those water savings would be the equivalent volume of the daily drinking water need for 5 billion people. Product innovation and efficiency improvements at fabric mills and laundries will be key to achieving these water savings. Progress towards the goal is already underway: since 2014, Gap Inc.-led projects have saved more than 2.4 billion liters of water.

“Water is critical to nearly all aspects of our business, and we recognize the responsibility and the opportunity we have to reduce the amount of water used to create our products. Leveraging the power of product innovation and improved manufacturing practices, we can help ensure that our customers not only look great in their favorite jeans and t-shirts, but also feel good about how their purchases are helping to make a positive impact for communities and helping to tackle global water scarcity,” said Christophe Roussel, executive vice president of Global Sourcing at Gap Inc.

In recent years, Gap Inc. has steadily ramped up its efforts to help drive water efficiency improvements at the mill and laundry level. In 2013, the company launched a Mill Sustainability Program to improve social and environmental practices of fabric mills. Additionally, the company encourages its suppliers to conduct environmental footprint assessments, including water use, using the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s (SAC) Higg Index. It also actively monitors and helps improve wastewater quality at denim laundries through its strengthened Water Quality Program, which was first launched in 2004 to help ensure that wastewater from denim laundries is properly treated.

At the product level, Gap brand has pioneered a smart denim wash program called Washwell that reduces water use by 20 percent or more. Since the program began in 2016, Washwell has saved more than 100 million liters of water.

“We believe that access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, so we strive to ensure that the process of making our clothes is safe for people and communities. It’s not only the right thing for people and the planet, it’s also crucial for our business growth,” said David Hayer, senior vice president of Global Sustainability and President of Gap Foundation at Gap Inc.

To ensure a broader impact, Gap Inc. is also working with other leading brands to advocate for the implementation of more environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. This includes working to help scale the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)’s Clean by Design program, which is focused on helping mills improve their operational efficiencies to reduce water, energy and chemical use, and serving as a founding member of the SAC’s Apparel Impact Institute. Gap Inc. is also a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme. ZDHC members have made a shared commitment to help lead the industry towards elimination of hazardous chemicals in apparel and footwear product lifecycles by 2020. Additionally, Gap Inc. is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate.

Gap Inc.’s Water Stewardship Strategy

The new manufacturing goal is part of the Gap Inc.’s water stewardship strategy, which includes a focus on lessening the impact at the raw materials and product design level as well as helping communities touched by its business improve access to clean water and sanitation.

Through the Gap Inc. Women and Water program, the company is working to help communities touched by its business improve access to clean water and sanitation. The company has integrated water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) curriculum into the Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. program, and has partnered with organizations such as WaterAid on a variety of initiatives to support community WASH awareness, education and water access in India. Last year, Gap Inc. and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Women + Water Alliance in India, a collaboration to improve and sustain the health and well-being of women and communities touched by the apparel industry.

At the community level, Gap Inc. has helped to reach more than 34,000 people with access to hygiene education, sanitation and clean water through a partnership with WaterAid. With a new grant, the two organizations will aim to reach an additional 20,000 people and approximately 4,000 households with access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education.

As part of its raw materials strategy, the company is particularly focused on cotton, an especially water-intensive crop. In 2016, Gap Inc. joined the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), and to date, the company has sourced more than 100 million pounds of BCI cotton. As part of this commitment, Gap brand set an ambitious goal to get 100 percent of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2021, including BCI, organic, recycled, and American-grown cotton. Gap brand has sourced 52 million pounds of Better Cotton since joining the program in 2016.

More on Gap Inc.’s Sustainability Goals

Gap Inc. is taking action globally to reduce its environmental footprint in its retail operations and across its supply chain. By the end of 2020, Gap Inc. has committed to a 50 percent absolute reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its owned and operated facilities globally from a 2015 baseline, and to divert 80 percent of its waste in the U.S. from landfill.

Posted March 19, 2018

Source: Gap Inc.

LAS VEGAS — March 19, 2018 — Today, Radius8 Inc. announced a new addition to its product offering that allows customers to shop the nearest store directly from a Radius8 powered Smart Bar local product widget. By allowing customers to click to reserve or buy at their nearest local store, retailers can now monetize any webpage, SEO landing page, store locator page, mobile application or online look-book. This new functionality drives conversion and foot traffic into stores by delivering on customer expectations of a streamlined and connected store experience.

GUESS Inc., who has been working with Radius8 since 2016 to revolutionize the way they connect with customers locally, will launch the technology this month on their local store SEO pages powered by Yext.

Currently, Guess is utilizing Radius8 to power locally relevant product placement on their store SEO Yext pages. With the introduction of this new Smartbar, customers will be able to reserve products directly from these pages, shortening the path to purchase and increasing conversion of local-intent web traffic that frequents these pages.

Edward Park, senior vice president, Head of Retail – Digital – Allocations says of the new Radius8 features, “Our goal is to expose our local products based on intelligence data of what is happening in and around that particular local market to capture consumers and drive them into our stores, where the average order size is greater.”

“Radius8’s new Shoppable bars create a truly novel way to capture and drive more online to offline traffic in a way that is totally seamless for our customers.”

The new shoppable smart bar functionality will be available to all Radius8 retail customers starting today.

Posted March 19, 2018

Source: Radius8

BOSTON — March 19, 2018 — ASICS America Corp., the true sport performance brand, today announced the launch of the brand’s newest HYPERGEL™ footwear franchise, unveiling the HYPERGEL-KENZEN™ exclusively with Foot Locker Inc. The new line of footwear combines street style with high performance GEL® technology proprietary to ASICS, for all day and all night comfort.

The new design incorporates GEL technology with slip-on construction and GEL beads integrated into the midsole. Every Hypergel shoe is unique and provides an enhanced cushion effect which reduces impact and preserves energy, resulting in improved comfort and endurance as the midsole restores its form faster than comparable footwear models.

Timed to the launch, ASICS and Foot Locker are rolling out a Hypergel-Kenzen x Aoki campaign featuring international DJ and producer Steve Aoki in stores nationwide, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Footaction, Champs Sports, SIX:02 and Eastbay.  The campaign celebrates those who are constantly moving, always in search of inspiration — the creators who thrive on always creating, thinking and progressing.

“Hypergel is a new look for ASICS and we are proud to introduce a model that balances a unique aesthetic design with the performance technology for our consumers that are constantly on the move,” said Gene McCarthy, president and CEO, ASICS America. “We are thrilled to launch this new franchise with our partners at Foot Locker Inc. and Steve Aoki, who lives each day to the fullest, in constant motion with purpose and determination.”

“We are excited to partner with ASICS for the launch of Hypergel-Kenzen x Aoki,” said Jed Berger, Chief Marketing Officer for Foot Locker North America. “Just like Steve Aoki, our customers live an always on lifestyle and are looking for a hybrid of performance technology fused with an awesome design. ASICS is synonymous with their great GEL technology and design and the Hypergel is a great addition to both of our footwear portfolios. We look forward to introducing it to our consumers across the Foot Locker Inc. family of brands.”

Aoki, who serves as the muse behind Hypergel, plays over 250 shows a year and holds two bachelor’s degrees. Constantly producing, designing, inventing – always moving.  The shoe is a testament to the versatility and endurance coveted in the marketplace today to cater to the newest generation of movers and creators.

“I am excited to be the face of Hypergel,” said Aoki. “I really like the futuristic look of the shoe. Whether I am in the gym, working in the studio or performing on stage, they are always on.”

The Hypergel-Kenzen x Aoki campaign will come to life across multiple channels including a ‘Steve in 24’ digital content series showcasing Aoki’s nonstop movement throughout a full, 24-hour period.  As part of the launch, ASICS and Foot Locker Inc. will celebrate perpetual creators with an immersive pop-up experience in New York City on March 19 that is open to the public. The experience will culminate that evening at 8:00pm with an intimate Steve Aoki appearance for ticketed guests. For more information, please visit @ASICS on Instagram.

Posted March 19, 2018

Source: ASICS