MORRISVILLE/LOS ANGELES — February 2, 2018 — Current fashion trends are changing rapidly, and the demand for individualized products is rising — these are the challenges faced by apparel manufacturers today. Now is the time to exploit the benefits of digitization to the full — not in individual phases of product development, however, but throughout the entire process chain right down to the finished product in the store — and Human Solutions will show just how this can be done at the PI Apparel show February 12-13 in Los Angeles.

Digitization is currently occupying the industry across all sectors. “Many companies are recently defining their way towards digitization,” said Andre Luebke, general manager of Human Solutions of North America Inc. “There’s a heady feeling of sweeping change and optimism in the air. When we are talking to our customers and partners, we see that digitization is no longer being challenged and doubted — companies know that digitization offers new opportunities and creates new business models.”

However, the question is, where do you start to get into digital work? And how do you reap the benefits of working digitally during the different phases of a product and connect this to information in such a way as to create added value? “3-D is the key to more speed. We offer a simulation that is so close to reality, that you think you can touch the garment. Our software Vidya can replace physical prototypes. The drafts can also be used for order and webshops,” Luebke said. At the PI Apparel, Human Solutions will showcase how 3D is changing the way of product development in the apparel industry. Together with Matthew Cochran, vice president of Business Development, On- Point Manufacturing Inc., Luebke will offer a session “Adapting your Design, Development and Manufacturing Processes to the New Shop- ping Habits of the Ever-changing Consumer”.

Size North America: An interim report

Human Solutions will also inform visitors about “Size North America.” This is the most extensive measurement survey project on the North American continent to date, which started in 2017. It is carried out by Human Solutions in collaboration with many partners. During the survey, body measurements, proportions and demographic data of 18,000 men, women and children will be collected. At the PI Apparel, Human Solutions presents first results and tendencies.

Posted February 2, 2018

Source: Human Solutions Group

CHICAGO — February 1, 2018 — Industry disruption, mounting debt, and tax reform’s sweeping changes continue to widen the gap between traditional economic predictors and the retail industry’s current financial reality. Retailers’ expectations for the year ahead remain moderate, with C-suite executives forecasting a 3.2 percent increase in total sales for 2018, according to a mix of 100 retail CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs in the first annual 2018 BDO Retail Compass Survey of CxOs.

At the same time, the industry is generally bullish for tax reform. When considering tax changes, more than one third (34 percent) of retailers agree that a reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate would have the greatest impact on their business, followed by a reduction in the U.S. individual income tax rate, changes to state and local taxes, and cross-border tariffs. The ways retailers adjust their financial and tax strategies to maximize returns will define how much money they will be able to spend on initiatives that can help them compete.

“The reduced corporate rate from 35 percent to a flat rate of 21 percent is the most obvious win—the savings will be valuable for the already cash-strapped industry,” says Scott Ziemer, tax partner in BDO’s Retail and Consumer Products practice. “However, the limitations on interest deductibility, for instance, could impact retailers who are using debt to fund new store openings within the same taxable entity, possibly resulting in higher taxable income.”

Brands Invest to Meet New Standards

Demanding, tech-enabled consumers and aggressive competition are driving retailers to make operational improvements. To do so, some are tapping public or private capital, and others are absorbing businesses to fill gaps in their offerings. On the other end of the spectrum, highly-leveraged and underperforming retailers are filing for bankruptcy as sales and margins fizzle.

“In 2018, retailers need to focus on their differentiators, or invest to secure one,” said Natalie Kotlyar, national leader of BDO’s Retail & Consumer Products Practice. “Positive economic trends are not translating into huge sales increases, and the industry is being squeezed on all sides. Many retailers are seeking PE investment or acquiring outside companies with complementary capabilities, while others are throwing in the towel. There’s no room for brands to coast.”

The in-store-online balancing act. Just over half (51 percent) of executives surveyed say they intend to invest more capital in e-commerce and mobile commerce in 2018 than 2017. At the same time, 39 percent of retailers will invest more in redesigning or remodeling their stores.

Digital investments rise. For businesses, both consumer-facing and in-house innovation is a mandate, not an amenity. As brands are expected to offer unprecedented degrees of convenience and speed, over one-third of retailers are planning to invest in initiatives that enable Internet of Things (40 percent) and automation (34 percent) adoption in the year ahead.

CIOs lead cybersecurity charge. As retailers plan to invest in more digital transformation, they’re also allocating more dollars to secure these initiatives in the year ahead. Seventy-three percent of CIOs surveyed say they used new software security tools in the last twelve months, while fifty-nine percent of CIOs created a response plan for security breaches and twenty-six percent hired an external security consultant.

The 2018 BDO Retail Compass Survey of CxOs is a national telephone survey conducted by Market Measurement Inc., an independent market research consulting firm, whose executive interviewers spoke directly with 100 chief executive officers, chief information officers and chief operating officers in Q4 2017. The survey was conducted within a scientifically developed, pure random sample of the nation’s leading retailers.

Posted February 1, 2018

Source: BDO USA

BALTIMORE — February 1, 2018 — Today, Under Armour launched UA HOVR, the brand’s latest innovation in footwear cushioning technology. The UA HOVR platform is launching with two running styles — the UA HOVR Sonic and UA HOVR Phantom — and will continue to expand into other key footwear categories in the coming seasons.

This new pinnacle cushioning system delivers on the need to have a shoe that provides not only a cushioned ride, but also energy return. The UA HOVR midsole is made of a proprietary foam compound, made in partnership with the innovators at Dow Chemical, possessing a super-soft durometer with incredible cushioning and shock absorption for every single foot strike.

A key component of the UA HOVR cushioning system is the ‘Energy Web,’ which is a mesh fabric that wraps the cushioning core to deliver strong responsiveness and energy return. This ideal combination of advantages makes runners feel and perform better with less fatigue. With UA HOVR, the shoe is absorbing some of the impact an athlete’s body would normally feel, aiding in comfort and keeping legs fresh for the road ahead.

“The development of UA HOVR was inspired by the insight that every step a runner takes has the impact of 2-4x their body weight, holding them down. When designing UA HOVR, we set out to create the perfect combination of cushioning plus responsiveness and energy return — to essentially lift you up,” said Dave Dombrow, Under Armour’s Chief Design Officer. “The UA HOVR underfoot returns that energy and makes every stride feel light and effortless. I could not be more proud of this product and for UA HOVR to usher in a new chapter in the Under Armour design and innovation story.”

The UA HOVR Sonic and UA HOVR Phantom styles will be available with a high fidelity sensor embedded in the shoe. These sensor-enabled versions are digitally connected to the newest evolution of the MapMyRun app and provide the added benefits of an untethered run while tracking detailed data including stride length, cadence, pace, distance and shoe life. Traditionally, consumers would need to invest hundreds of dollars in equipment and wearables to have access to this level of data. With UA HOVR’s sensor technology, this information will sync directly from the shoes to MapMyRun – all while never needing a recharge. The digital versions of UA HOVR Sonic and UA HOVR Phantom also include an annual MVP subscription to MapMyRun with access to the world’s largest digital health and fitness community of 225 million registered users, coaching and training plans, live tracking, advanced analytics, as well as multi-language VIP support.

“Under Armour is focused on delivering runners around the world — from world champion Natasha  Hastings to runners completing their first 5K — innovative solutions that provide an unparalleled running experience,” said Topher Gaylord, general manager of UA Run. “We obsess over every detail in our running footwear to ensure supreme comfort, unrivaled performance, and the ultimate underfoot ride. With beautiful design converging with state-of-the-art digital capabilities, UA HOVR technology empowers athletes everywhere, at all levels of the sport, with performance advantages previously available only to the world’s most elite athletes. Put simply, Under Armour and UA HOVR make you better.”

Weighing in at 9.6 ounce (oz)/272 grams (g), with an 8 millimeter offset, the UA HOVR Sonic has a light and responsive ride, for runners who put distance first. The UA HOVR Phantom weighs 10.6 oz/300.5 g and has a plush and responsive ride, for runners who want all-around cushioning. With the UA HOVR Phantom, UA leveraged its apparel DNA to create a knitted collar for superior comfort and adaptation around the ankle with a 5/8″ collar and knitted sock-like feel.  The UA HOVR Sonic will retail for $100 and $110; the UA HOVR Phantom will retail for $130 and $140 for non-connected and connected, respectively.

Both styles are now available for purchase on UA.com, at Under Armour Brand Houses and at sport specialty stores across the globe. You can also access Under Armour’s Connected Fitness Community by downloading the MapMyRun app on the App Store or Google Play™ store. To join the conversation follow @UnderArmour and use hashtag #UAHOVR. For more information visit UA.com/HOVR.

Under Armour also created an innovation film, which ushers in the UA HOVR Phantom and UA HOVR Sonic running shoes in high-energy fashion. Under city lights, a lively crew of runners sprint and leap their way through urban streets, while macro-level visuals of the foam and ‘Energy Web’ technology capture the way in which UA HOVR lifts you up — the cushioning and responsiveness help you physically feel lighter, minimizing the impact on your body and keeping your legs fresh. Emotionally, you feel as though you are being lifted up – the energy that comes from having achieved the euphoric runner’s high.

Posted February 1, 2018

Source: Under Armour

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — February 1, 2018 — Global apparel company Komar is pleased to announce that it has entered into a licensing agreement with DreamWave LLC for the design, manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of ladies swimwear for the Carole Hochman® brand.

The Carole Hochman brand is renowned for sleep and loungewear designs that are both beautifully stylish and luxuriously comfortable. DreamWave is a resource of licensed, private label and branded swimwear, outerwear and sleepwear, and is committed to develop and produce an offering of women’s swimwear that shares the brand’s longstanding commitment to quality and design.

The licensing agreement is the first such license for this category, and will join a number of licenses awarded the use of the Carole Hochman name including slippers and socks. Carole Hochman® products are carried by such retailers as Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor and QVC.

“As a brand, we look to partner with leaders in the industry to develop stylish offerings that help women embrace the Carole Hochman lifestyle,” shared David Komar, principal and chief marketing officer at Komar. “This agreement with DreamWave is another step in our successful licensing strategy to help expand our consumer appeal to a new category.”

“We are excited to work with Komar, a like-minded company rooted in family-values, with an industry-wide reputation for excellence,” said Sion Betesh, senior vice president, Brand Development, DreamWave. “The Carole Hochman brand, which stands for sophisticated comfort, is a wonderful addition to our portfolio.”

The Carole Hochman swimwear collection will be available for preview in April 2018, and will ship to retail beginning December 2018.

Posted February 1, 2018

Source: Komar

DALLAS — February 1, 2018 — Haggar Clothing Co., the official jacket provider of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, will create a new Hall of Fame this year to recognize and celebrate America’s greatest dads.

Starting today, football legend and Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, whose own father demonstrated the importance of family by putting aside his football dreams and turning down a scholarship to care for his family, will lead the national call for nominations to the inaugural class of the Haggar Hall of Fame Dads.

“While being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and wearing the Gold Jacket is one of my proudest achievements, being a dad to my five kids exceeds that by a mile,” said Smith. “My dad sacrificed so much to give me this life, and he’s the reason I have the Gold Jacket — and it’s why I’m honored to join Haggar in recognizing the great dads and father figures across the nation with a Hall of Fame of their own.”

Nominations for the Haggar Hall of Fame Dads will be accepted now through May 31 at www.HaggarHOFDad.com. Visitors can upload a photo or video, along with a caption describing why their dad or father figure is a Hall of Famer, and then vote for their favorite Hall of Fame Dad stories throughout the nomination period.

Haggar will enshrine 52 winners in the Haggar Hall of Fame, representing each U.S. state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. One grand prizewinner will win a VIP trip to his choice of the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame or 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.

“For decades, Haggar has been proud to make the iconic Hall of Fame jackets for the legends of pro football, basketball and hockey. To those who wear them, the jackets are more than just a piece of clothing. They symbolize years of hard work and dedication to mastering their craft,” said Haggar CEO Michael Stitt. “We’ve clothed millions of dads over the past 90 years, and we are honored to recognize and celebrate a few of them for everything they do to support their families and communities.”

Posted February 1, 2018

Source: Haggar Clothing Co.